Arsenal continued their impressive Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hull City on Saturday. It was not the most entertaining performance from Mikel Arteta's boys, but at this stage of the season, getting three points is what really matters most.
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Martin Ødegaard was the hero of the afternoon after scoring the only goal of the encounter in the 72nd minute. The Arsenal captain showed great awareness inside the box to react quickly to the rebound after Noni Madueke's effort was saved by the Hull goalkeeper. It was an important goal that eventually separated both teams.
Honestly, I expected Arsenal to have a more comfortable afternoon against Hull City, considering the difference in quality and experience between both teams. However, football does not always go according to expectations. Hull came into the game with a clear plan, defending with discipline and making things difficult for Arsenal's attacking players.
There was also a controversial moment involving Kai Havertz in the first half. Arsenal initially thought they had won a penalty after Havertz was pulled inside the box, but VAR overturned the decision because of an offside position in the build-up. I can imagine the frustration among Arsenal supporters at that moment.
David Raya also deserves some credit for his contribution. His important save from Elliot Stroud helped Arsenal avoid conceding and kept the team in the game.
With this victory, Arsenal have collected 27 points from their opening ten Premier League matches, winning nine of them. That is an impressive record and another indication of how seriously they are approaching this season.
However, I still believe there are areas that Arteta needs to improve, most especially in the attacking area. Arsenal cannot always depend on late goals to win tough matches. Against stronger opponents, those missed opportunities could become costly.
Nevertheless, congratulations to Arsenal supporters. The most important thing is that the three points are secured.
The Premier League title race is far from over, but Arsenal are certainly sending a strong message to their competitors.
Posted Using INLEO
