Nicklas Bendtner on the spot.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]
Arsene's cosy post-match comments added nothing to what we already know: Arsenal have a strong appetite for leaving it late as another one of those tricks were pulled by Bendtner today at the KC Stadium. The immediate result of the evening, aside from the fact that the visitors renewed their title credentials once more, is the sacking of Phil Brown.
In any case that should matter to a minimum, since the London's team attentions are faced in the upper end of the table. This win comes to no surprise, despite the mistake made by Mayhall: eight matches to go in the quest for the Premier League with all of them 'winable'. Next Saturday, the troubled Hammers will see the other end, as they travel to the Emirates to face their London counterparts in what promises to be a difficult spell, following their defeat at Stamford Bridge. Again, if the Gunners prove to be worth and fortune favours them, we could see another setback of Ferguson's men, as the Super Sunday arrives.
Sol Campbell and Venegoor.
[Photo: Craig Brough/Action Images via Guardian]
In spite of the early success that Brown's men had (68% of possession by the 12th minute), the Gunners managed to overcome the physical challenges and ended up ahead in the scoreline with a goal from the Russian magician. After some build-up from the right side, Bendtner fed Arshavin who, with enough luck, overcame two defenders and stroke with the tip of the boot to give his team the lead. The superiority of the visitors could be felt in all aspects, when at least two chances were provided.
Unfortunately, the referee made a bad choice when Campbell, stomped Venegoor. The penalty kick was cheaply bought and Bullard levelled things. In all fairness, Venegoor searched it, and watching the inevitable contact with the Englishman, let his body in the way and the rest is history. Whether many Arsenal supporters have deemed nearly every Premier League team of being overtly violent, Hull gave a class on how to be physical without being violent at all.
In the following twenty minutes after the goal, both teams looked for the lead. Arsenal gave possession too quickly and looked complacent. That changed in the 37th minute, when a revitalised London team came in pursue of the win. Arshavin's luck again showed that he has not passed his struggle with Russia, after failing to secure a spot in the World Cup finals.
Mayhill could not purge his mistake
[Photo: Mirror Football]
If the first forty five minutes showed a will for Hull to shares the point, there was no particular play that could have got them in a winning position. Instead Wenger's men made some approaches, all wasted. Emmanuel Eboue's, who for some reason was substituted despite his good performance, gave his place for Theo Walcott, when the clock was in the 66th. The pull of Bullard gave Hull a slight hope but again, Arsenal's defensive apparatus came to the rescue.
Andrey Arshavin scrapped at least in two occasions in front of the goal, as Bendtner and Theo set him. With six minutes added by Mariner -mainly by the injury of the Hull player- the Londoners seeked the vital chances that could give them the three pints. In the 93rd minute, those prayers were answered, as Denilson took a long shot, which was palmed by Mayhill straight in the position where Bendtner prowled. The Dane, without further ado, put the ball in the back of the net to kill all hopes from the locals. Remaining minutes were a mere distraction to see Phill Brown sacked.
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