Arsenal Continue Beautiful Home Form As Hull Tigers Are Tamed

Coming into the game, Arsenal's home average score was 3-1

Not many games between a top four side and a mid-table side has so much fuss around it, but Hull City versus Arsenal was the exception(maybe Portsmouth vs. Liverpool also), last season Hull City became the second side to beat Arsenal at the Emirates, also in the FA Cup Fabregas-who was injured for the game today and that game also-was also accused of spitting at someone. Before the game Wenger said he had no bad blood with Phil Brown, but Phil Brown knew he had to draw blood this game, the same way he did last season.

The first half started pretty well with arsenal fielding their 4-4-3 formation, but with Nasri the free roaming player, Eboue at right back, Silvestre at left and Diaby in Midfield, Eduardo started the game on the left of Arsenal's attack.

Hull City fielded a strong side, 4-5-1 formation with Fagan as lone striker and tenacious midfielder Stephen Hunt on the left of midfield.

The first half was full of half chances and long shots,  I was impressed with Diaby's efforts in midfield and Silvestre's performances at left back, he was attacking nicely and tracking back when needed. Denilson was poor in the first half giving away the ball. Gallas and Vermaelen kept a high line when needed and caught Hull City offside a lot of times.

Arsenal had too many fouls in the game(17) showing a tough side of the neat passing team.

Hull City came out into the game all guns blazing and Fagan troubled Arsenal on the fourth minute with a shot that went wide of the left.

Next clear chance fell to Nasri after neat passing on the right set up Eduardo who passed the ball neatly to Nasri with nice control, shot straight at Myhill, Arsenal who were definitely missing Fabregas' creativity in midfield were left to do work the hard way and the chances were definitely not coming.

Stephen Hunt troubled the Arsenal back-line constantly but dynamic duo Vermaelen and Gallas worked out neat offside traps time and time again.

On 23 minutes awesome combination from Nasri and Eboue brought about a chance that Eduardo spurned, he collected the ball on inside the edge of the box, attempting to curl one past Myhill who was beaten but saved as the ball went wide.

Arsenal were definitely missing some height, as no headed attempt on goal was recorded in the first half. By the way who needs that, a surging run from Diaby led to a free-kick, Denlison stepped back and produced the video below. Outstanding from Denilson who had been anonymous throughout the half.

The second half was totally different,Arsenal came out with a change of strategy(Arshavin in the left and Eduardo down the center) and mentality as Arsenal had three more 50-50 chances in the first five minutes, first it was Eduardo who was supplied by Arshavin, turning in such a way that Dennis Bergkamp would have loved he took the ball onto his weaker right foot were he hastily shot on wide left, next shot was by Diaby but it was not to big as Diaby 's shot was from an acute angle.

Then came the turning point of the match, or at least the point that should have turned the match around. In what looked like a light shirt pull by Silvestre on Fagan, a penalty was given up came Geovanni who scored from 30 yards last season, couldn't convert from twelve as Almunia saved the penalty kick. After that Hull City just recoiled int a shell and Arsenal ran the show.

Two minutes later Eduardo scored,a one-two between Song and Diaby allowed i get in behind the Hull City Defense, he coolly squared it to Eduardo in front of goal, who scored is first since that mauling in Everton.

Theo Walcott came in for Eduardo on 76 minutes, but the next spark in the game came from Arshavin and Diaby again who put in a stellar performance, capped it of with a goal. A defense splitting through ball from Arshavin set up Diaby who shook of McShane before powering home a shot.

Cameo performances from Vela and Ramsey closed out the game, but two chances come to attention in the dying moments, first Walcott. A perfectly timed run from a defensive clearance set him up with the on-rushing Myhill who was chipped by Walcott, but the ball trickled wide and denied Walcott what could have been a tremendous boost in confidence.

Next up, fantastic passing from Vela(back heel) to Silvestre who cut inside of a defender Ronaldo chop style(I know its hard to believe) inside of a defender set up Ramsey who curled one past Myhill but it was too high.

Arsenal-Hull City 3-0 goals highlights

Something I failed to mention was Nasri's stamp on Garcia that deserved a sending of, but he was booked for it and a mini-brawl came about.

Shout out must go to Diaby who made his presence felt and a routine three point for Arsenal at the Emirates ensures Arsenal still have the edge heading into the next game on the 27th against Aston Villa