Hull City vs. Arsenal: Score and Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

Arsenal continued their fine Premier League form with a 4-1 win over Hull City on Saturday, thanks to a brace from star forward Alexis Sanchez.

Sanchez opened the score after 17 minutes thanks to a lucky deflection, but the Chilean missed the chance to double Arsenal's lead with a penalty—Jake Livermore had handled the ball inside the box and was sent off as a result.

Theo Walcott doubled the Gunners' lead in the second half, but Robert Snodgrass converted a penalty to give Hull some hope. Sanchez soon restored the two-goal lead with his second goal of the afternoon, however, and Granit Xhaka put the final score on the board.

As shared by Arsenal's official Twitter account, Alex Iwobi made the starting XI, with Lucas Perez moving to the bench:

The hosts started the match well, but Arsenal soon took control of the ball and threatened early. Santi Cazorla opened up some space for Hector Bellerin on the right wing, but the Spaniard just couldn't find a way through the defence.

Shkodran Mustafi did well to close down a cross from David Meyler, and Adama Diomande fared little better against the Germany international with the Tigers' first counter opportunity.

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Hull did well to isolate Sanchez early and were the better team in the opening stages, but when the Chilean found some space, he was dangerous. He neatly isolated Mesut Ozil with a clever flick, only to watch the German miss his touch, and after 17 minutes, Sanchez opened the scoring.

A period of sustained pressure ended with Iwobi taking a shot on goal and Sanchez getting the final touch and credit for the goal. Squawka News couldn't help themselves:

Hull hit back almost immediately, as Abel Hernandez fired a dart right at Petr Cech, before Walcott put the hosts' goalkeeper to work, testing Eldin Jakupovic from close range.

The Tigers pushed hard for an equaliser, but the better chances fell to Arsenal. Ozil should have done better after 28 minutes, as Jakupovic could only parry a shot from Iwobi as far as the German, but somehow, he scooped his shot and missed the near-open target.

Bleacher Report's James McNicholas was stunned:

Mustafi and Diomande clashed heads inside the box, leaving both players in need of some help, but Hull's approach, relying heavily on crosses, had little effect. Mustafi was fantastic during the first half, dealing with cross after cross and even venturing forward on a few occasions.

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Snodgrass fired a shot straight into Cech's arms when he found space, and Sam Clucas did well to deal with Walcott.

Arsenal were handed a golden opportunity to double their lead when Livermore clumsily handled a shot from Francis Coquelin, running into a red card and giving the visitors a penalty. Sanchez stepped up, but Jakupovic picked the correct corner and kept the 27-year-old's strike out.

ESPN FC's Iain Macintosh could not believe Sanchez took the spot-kick in the first place:

Jakupovic produced one more fine save before half-time, stopping a deflected shot, and Ozil was denied the chance to fire in one more cross before the official blew the whistle.

The Gunners went searching for a second goal after the break, but the Hull defenders dealt with a Cazorla free-kick well. The Spaniard was lucky not to get sent off for a trip on Snodgrass, and the home fans were none too happy with the decision.

James McNicholas wasn't sure a substitution was a great idea:

Arsenal doubled their lead shortly after, as Iwobi and Walcott combined beautifully, with the latter chipping Jakupovic to all but secure the win.

The Gunners didn't ease the pressure, however, and Clucas again had to intervene to deny Ozil after a poor pass gifted the visitors a counter. Snodgrass almost reached Hernandez, but his cross was cut out by Mustafi, who continued his superb showing.

Ahmed Elmohamady almost picked out a team-mate with a cross and watched as the ball bounced just wide of the post, and Laurent Koscielny ended a surging run from Snodgrass, as the Tigers finished the match strongly.

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Walcott should have doubled his tally after 76 minutes, however, somehow skying a shot after another quick combination with Ozil.

Substitute Dieumerci Mbokani earned the hosts a penalty with 12 minutes left to play, as Cech took out the striker inside the box. Snodgrass blasted a great effort into the top corner, handing his side a lifeline going into the final 10 minutes.

But those hopes were soon crushed, as Sanchez scored his second goal of the afternoon to restore the two-goal lead.

TV personality Piers Morgan was sure that would be the end of Hull's challenge:

Sanchez almost completed his hat-trick with a great strike from 25 yards out, and Mbokani couldn't get on the end of a cross after some great work from Cech. 

There was still time for one more goal, as substitute Granit Xhaka converted with a superb strike to put the final score on the board.

After the match, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed Cazorla should have taken the first-half penalty, via ESPN FC's Mattias Karen:

Arsenal's next match will be at Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup, while Hull visit Stoke City in the same competition.