Martin Odegaard’s second-half winner earned Arsenal a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hull City at Emirates Stadium, extending their advantage at the Premier League summit.
The Arsenal captain settled the contest in the 72nd minute, reacting first after Konstantinos Tzolakis pushed away Noni Madueke’s effort to finish the rebound.
Hull had frustrated the hosts for long periods, but Odegaard’s intervention secured a fifth consecutive league victory for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Madueke nearly helped Arsenal add another late on.
After racing through, he was challenged by Tzolakis before the loose ball bounced off Nobel Mendy, forcing Brooke Norton-Cuffy to clear off the line.
The result moved Arsenal six points clear, although Manchester City could narrow that gap when they host Nottingham Forest later on Saturday at 17:30 GMT.
September’s 3-0 loss to Brighton remains the only league match in which the Gunners have dropped points this season.
Arsenal’s persistence delivers another victory
Arsenal needed patience to overcome a disciplined Hull side, producing few clear openings before eventually finding the breakthrough.
Declan Rice directed a first-half header straight at Tzolakis, while Madueke tested the goalkeeper with a low effort from a narrow angle after the interval.
The hosts also appealed for a penalty before the break when Mendy pulled Kai Havertz’s shirt inside the area.
Referee Farai Hallam initially allowed play to continue but was advised by the video assistant referee to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.
He subsequently announced that Havertz had been fouled, but an offside position meant no penalty would be given.
The incident echoed a decision in Arsenal’s victory over Liverpool the previous week, when Jurrien Timber’s shirt pull on Alexander Isak did not result in a spot-kick for the Reds.
Odegaard’s decisive finish ultimately ensured the focus remained on another Arsenal win.
The Gunners have now recorded nine victories in 11 matches and are unbeaten in their past 11 home fixtures across all competitions.
Hull’s winless spell continues despite spirited display
Hull’s return to the Premier League after a decade away began with successive victories, but they have now gone eight league games without a win.
Sergej Jakirovic’s players nevertheless made Arsenal work for the points and threatened an early breakthrough when Elliot Stroud’s angled strike drew a strong save from David Raya.
The visitors remained competitive for much of the afternoon, although their attempts to find a late equaliser caused Arsenal few problems once the hosts had taken the lead.
A repeat of Hull’s famous 2-1 victory at Arsenal in 2008 proved beyond them, but their performance offered Jakirovic encouragement about their ability to challenge stronger opposition.
The Tigers remain four points above the relegation places, with this defeat extending their winless run against Arsenal to 15 meetings.
