A first half onslaught saw Arsenal claim another three points on Monday night, overcoming Hull City 3-1 at KC Stadium. A deflected free-kick from Alexis Sanchez after 27 minutes saw the Gunners hit the front, before another deflected strike from Aaron Ramsey and cool finish from Alexis on the stroke of half-time had effectively killed the game off by the break. The Tigers responded 11 minutes after the break through a fine header from Stephen Quinn, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Arsene Wenger’s men claiming more potentially vital points away from home. The result leaves the Gunners equal on points with second-placed Manchester City, who have played a game more than the North Londoners. Hull City meanwhile, sit dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Formations
Steve Bruce’s Tigers started their clash with Arsenal with a number of former Spurs players featuring in their lineup, playing a 3-5-2 with N’Doye and Aluko spearheading the attack. Arsenal meanwhile started the game with their customary 4-2-3-1, with Arsene Wenger again favouring the in-form Olivier Giroud over Danny Welbeck in a largely unchanged lineup.
Arsenal’s midfield domination there for all to see
The Gunners form in recent months has been nothing short of scintillating, and their midfield generals were in top form once again, completely bossing Hull City’s midfield. Arsenal’s tally of 604 completed passes totally dwarfed Hull City’s 229, while the Gunner’s 88% passing accuracy compared to the Tiger’s 73% further emphasises the obvious gulf in class between the two sides. Mesut Özil has had more than his fair share of critics this season, but was once again brilliant at the heart of the Gunners’ midfield and was arguably his side’s best player on the day. He might not be racking up the assists as is expected of him, but he is frequently orchestrating Arsenal attacks and keeping possession of the ball in tight areas.
Steve Bruce’s side need more cutting edge in the final third
In a game where Arsenal were clearly the dominant side, Hull City were able to muster only one shot on target in only eight attempts throughout the entire 90 minutes. Compare this to Arsenal’s nine shots on target out of 22 attempts, and you begin to see how far ahead of the home side the Gunners were. Hull managed to whip in 20 crosses, five more than the Gunners, but only four of those crosses were successful. Their only goal did come from a beautiful cross however, when El Mohamady picked out Quinn who’s well-executed header reduced the deficit. Aluko’s heading ability was dismal to say the least, and the absence of Uruguayan striker Abel Hernandez certainly would have been felt at the KC Stadium, with chances continuously going begging for the Nike side.
Conclusion – Hull City
Steve Bruce’s men came into the match in desperate need of three points to stay above the drop zone, but right from the off they looked second best to am exceptional strong Arsenal outfit. Throughly outplayed, Quinn’s second half header proved to be the only highlight of an otherwise largely disappointing night for the home side. Steve Harper had a solid game between the sticks despite falling victim to two deflected efforts, and prevented the game from being a rout with a series of impressive stops. Steve Bruce’s backline simply could not deal with the pace and power of the Gunners, and could be considered rather fortunate not to have shipped more than three goals.
Hull host bottom-placed Burnley at the KC Stadium in a crucial relegation clash on Saturday, a match which both sides desperately need to win in order to avoid the drop. Steve Bruce’s troops will need to show more hunger than they did against Arsenal if they are to get the result they so desperately need against the Clarets. Hull still boast a very talented side, and will need to bring more to the table in the coming weeks, with tricky fixtures against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur looming on the horizon.
Conclusion – Arsenal
There aren’t too many superlatives left to describe Arsene Wenger’s men that haven’t already been used. Had the Gunners started the season in the same manner in which they have effectively swept all before them in recent months, we could well be viewing a very different looking title-race unfolding before our eyes. Arsenal’s comfortable destruction of Hull could have finished as a cricket score, and at this stage it looks like the Gunners are a safe bet to finish the season in second place for the first time in 10 years – where they also finished as runners-up to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.
Arsenal’s midfield once again proved why it is widely regarded as one of the best in Europe, after another dominant display against Steve Bruce’s Hull. Arsenal’s Chilean wizard was on song once again, and even Arsene Wenger didn’t expect Alexis Sanchez to score as many goals as he has in his debut season at the Emirates, seemingly hitting his stride at the prefect time. The Gunners have a game in-hand over second placed Manchester City who they are level on points with, and face Swansea at the Emirates next Monday night ahead of a potentially-pivotal clash with Manchester United.
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