Martin Ødegaard’s winner keeps Arsenal clear at the top

Hull made Arsenal work for every opening. The visitors defended in numbers, threatened on the break and kept the league leaders waiting until Martin Ødegaard finally found the answer late on.

The Arsenal captain reacted quickest after Konstantinos Tzolakis spilled Noni Madueke’s shot, finishing from close range to settle a contest that had grown increasingly tense. It was Ødegaard’s fifth goal of the season and a timely one: Arsenal will head into the international break with a healthy lead over Manchester City.

Hull began with intent. John Egan headed wide from a corner, while Elliot Stroud later tested David Raya after Riccardo Calafiori lost possession. Their compact defence limited Arsenal’s clear chances, and the visitors remained dangerous when space opened up on the counter.

Arsenal pushed for a breakthrough, but the first half also brought a contentious penalty review. Nobel Mendy pulled Kai Havertz’s shirt inside the area, yet the penalty was not awarded because Havertz was offside. The decision frustrated Arsenal’s bench, and Havertz then headed straight at Tzolakis just before the interval.

The pattern continued after the break. Madueke found room after a flowing Arsenal move but sent his effort straight at the Hull goalkeeper. Eberechi Eze fired over after coming on, as the home side searched for a way through a defence that had held firm for most of the afternoon.

With 20 minutes still to play, Hull remained within reach of a result that would have made headlines. Instead, Tzolakis’s spill gave Ødegaard the opening Arsenal needed. One decisive reaction turned a stubborn afternoon into three points.

The win takes Arsenal to 27 points from their first 10 games, matching the club’s record tally at that stage. Their next league match after the international break is against Enzo Maresca’s side, with Arsenal carrying their advantage over Manchester City into the pause.