Arsenal 1-2 Hull City
Hull City stunned
Arsenal by coming from a goal behind to secure a famous win and
become only the second side to win at the Emirates. A scruffy
Fabregas goal opened the scoring for the Gunners but a Geovani
screamer and a Cousin header sealed a shock win for the
Tigers.
Yet despite having restored his first team, Arsene Wenger’s side
struggled against their newly promoted opponents and endured a
frustrating first half which ended goalless despite the home side’s
best efforts.
Instead, a profligate Gunners reverted to their old ways,
overplaying the ball when often well-placed whilst the visitors
defended stubbornly and with a confidence borne of their strong
start to the season.
Keeping with the general theme of the week, it was one of
Arsenal’s youngest players who had the best chances of the first
half.
Theo Walcott had several opportunities to open the scoring for
the Gunners but a combination of excellent defending and wanting
too much time on the ball denied the young Englishman.
Whilst the Gunners dominated possession and carved out some
excellent opportunities they rarely threatened Myhill in the Tigers
goal and a frustrated Arsene Wenger could only watch on in
dismay.
However, whilst the first half was largely disappointing fare,
the second period sparked into life within minutes of the restart
with Hull almost taking the lead. The Gunners failed to clear a
corner and a speculative shot from Boateng was saved almost on the
line by Fabregas’ outstretched leg.
The chance spurred Arsenal into life and less then five minutes
they were ahead, albeit through the scrappiest of goals.
Van Persie played Walcott in on the break and he bamboozled
several Hull defenders before a low cross was deflected off
Adebayor into the path of a combination of Fabregas and McShane who
bundled it into the net.
Minutes later and it should have been two. Van Persie set up
Eboue but his attempted back heel was deflected into the path of
Adebayor, who, with the goal at his mercy, took too much time, and
his shot was well defended and deflected high and wide by the Hull
defence.
With a lead established Arsenal threatened to overwhelm Hull who
were left rocking by the home side’s change in tempo yet they held
firm and to the dismay of the home crowd hit back in stunning
style.
Geovani put them level on the hour mark, leaving Arsenal to rue
their missed chances. A stunning strike from the Brazilian from out
on the left, swerved and dipped into the top corner leaving Almunia
absolutely no chance and putting the sides back on level terms
Only minutes later and Hull were in dreamland. A corner in from
the right found Cousin outjumping Gallas and his header flew over
Fabregas on the post and into the back of the net.
A shocked Wenger responded quickly, throwing on Bendtner and
Vela as Arsenal pressed forwards searching for an equaliser.
Van Persie came close after being put through by Fabregas but
Gallas came even closer, his header coming off the bar and hitting
Vela but falling wide. Myhill then tipped over a fine strike from
Fabregas in stoppage time as Hull held on for a famous victory to
continue their fantastic start to life in the top flight.
Arsenal, meanwhile, fabulous in midweek, trudged off at the
final whistle thoroughly dejected leaving Arsene Wenger,
who having just his watched his dislodged from the top of
the table and conceding again from a set piece, with much to
ponder.
Arsenal: Almunia, Clichy, Toure, Gallas, Sagna,
Walcott (Vela, 76), Fabregas, Denilson, Eboue (Bendtner, 68),
Adebayor, van Persie
Hull City: Myhill, Turner, Dawson, McShane,
Ashbee, Zayatte, Boateng (Garcia, 76), Marney, King, Geovani
(Hughes,72), Cousin (Mendy, 79)
