Arsenal have returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Hull City.
Alexis Sanchez netted both goals in North London, although his first came via his hand from inside the six-yard box, while Hull will feel aggrieved that Kieran Gibbs was not sent off during the second half.
Lazar Markovic and Oumar Niaase were a constant threat for the visitors, but they were unable to find the goal that may have helped their side out of the relegation zone by the end of the weekend.
Read below to see how the action unfolded at the Emirates Stadium.
11.32amHello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Arsenal and Hull City.
11.35amA couple of months ago, this fixture would have been regarded as a routine win for Arsenal, but not so much now. While the Gunners are on a downward curve and already look out of the title race, Hull appear to be on their way up after the arrival of Marco Silva and while they remain in the relegation zone, they are arguably the form side out of the two teams competing at the Emirates Stadium.
11.38amLike with the rest of the country, the weather in North London is pretty dismal but there is no danger whatsoever of any late problems with the pitch, as with the surrounding areas so it seems. It's just a very gloomy day and expect the storm clouds to hover over the Emirates should Arsenal fail to win this game.
11.39amAnyway, without further ado, let's crack on with the team news. Wenger had some big decisions to make after their defeat to Chelsea last weekend.
11.40amARSENAL XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Gibbs, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin, Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi, Sanchez
11.42amARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Ospina, Monreal, Gabriel, Elneny, Lucas, Welbeck, Giroud
11.43amHULL CITY XI: Jakupovic, Elabdellaoui, Ranocchia, Maguire, Robertson, Huddlestone, N'Diaye, Clucas, Markovic, Grosicki, Niasse
11.43amHULL CITY SUBSTITUTES: Meyler, Maloney, Diomande, Marshall, Elmohamady, Tymon, Evandro
11.48amThe big talking point from Wenger's team is the inclusion of Hector Bellerin, just a week after he suffered a concussion against Chelsea. There had been calls for the right-back to be left out but after he passed each of the necessary tests, he has been granted a start by his manager. There is just one alteration to the side which started at Stamford Bridge, with Kieran Gibbs coming in for Nacho Monreal.
11.52amAs for Hull, Silva has made two alterations to the team which began the surprise win against Liverpool. Lazar Markovic and Oumar Niasse have both been brought into the team, with Evandro and Abel Hernandez dropping out of the team. Evandro is on the bench, but Hernandez has been ruled out for a month through injury.
11.56amSeems fair, especially when you consider that Gibbs has needed to be one of the most patient men in North London. This is just his third Premier League start of the season. Surely he deserves more than that?
So, why have you brought @KieranGibbs in boss?
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) 11 February 2017
🗣 "He's suited to play in this game and he's been in great form in training."#AFCvHCFC pic.twitter.com/Uol6nIZu8G
12.00pmHEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents just the 26th time in which these two teams have faced each other in a competitive fixture, with Arsenal winning 17 times in comparison to just the three wins for the Tigers. Arsenal are currently on a 13-match unbeaten streak against Hull, who last came out on top in September 2008 when they ran out 2-1 winners in North London thanks to goals from Geovanni and Daniel Cousin. How was that game over eight years ago?! Really doesn't seem that long ago...
12.05pmThese two teams last met in September when Arsenal ran out convincing 4-1 winners at the KCOM Stadium. However, the dismissal of Jake Livermore really swung the game in the visitors' favour, and although Petr Cech gifted Hull a penalty during the latter stages, the Gunners dominated for large periods of the match. Click here to read our on-the-whistle match report.
12.09pmWe've touched upon the inclusion of Bellerin, but Wenger also had calls to make further up the field. Mohamed Elneny seems a logical pick after returning from the African Cup of Nations, while Gunners fans have been calling for the involvement of Lucas Perez and Danny Welbeck. Olivier Giroud will also feel that he should have been selected after scoring against Chelsea last weekend. However, none of them start and it's a real show of faith from Wenger after watching his players under-perform against their London rivals. Is it the right decision? I guess we will find out over the course of the 90 minutes.
12.13pmWe aren't going to dominate this build-up with talk about Arsenal because Hull are fully deserving of equal coverage after their win over Liverpool last Saturday. Some will argue that the Merseyside giants are not playing well right now and it wasn't a big shock but all things considered, Hull performed out of their skin and what will be even more encouraging for Silva is that he included a number of new signings. They've already made the impact he would have wanted and if they can continue that this afternoon, we could have a very interesting game in store for us.
12.17pmPREDICTION! Despite their contrasting form, we have to back Arsenal to prevail in front of their own supporters. The likes of Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil will be chomping at the bit to put things right and we think that they will all contribute to a 3-1 victory. Expect Hull to put up a fight, though. Remember that they drew with Manchester United on their last away trip in the Premier League.
12.20pmAs well as this game, we have another three Premier League fixtures in store for you today, while we also have action from the Championship and La Liga. If you can't get to a TV screen, you really can't go wrong with sticking with us throughout the day.
12.24pmBefore the two teams come out, I'm going to take the opportunity to brag. When Oumar Niasse signed for Hull City, I was ridiculed for suggesting that the forward could prove out to be one of the signings of the January transfer window, but it's most definitely so far so good as far as the Everton loanee is concerned. He has goals against Manchester United and Liverpool to his name and in his second start in the Premier League this season, he could add Arsenal to his record. You wouldn't back against him doing just that, given Arsenal's recent form at the back.
12.28pmThe two starting XIs have made their way out onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium. It's still sleeting and extremely cold in North London. Who will react to the conditions the better?
1 minHull get us underway.
3 minIt's been a highly entertaining start. We've had surging runs from Walcott and Grosicki, and mistakes from Clucas and Huddlestone which have nearly gifted chances to Arsenal. The home side also won a corner but nothing came from it.
6 minThere are a lot of empty seats at the Emirates. It's unclear whether that is down to a reported problem on the London Underground or if some of the home supporters didn't fancy it, but there's certainly not 60,000 people in attendance. Keep an eye out for an announcement on the crowd at the end of the game...
8 minHull are making an effort to pass the ball around but they keep getting themselves into trouble. Another mistake from Huddlestone almost leads to Iwobi and Ozil contributing to a decent opening for the home side.
9 minCHANCE! Now this is a chance for Arsenal. The ball went over the top of the Hull defence and Sanchez looked ready to score, but Ranocchia managed to put him off. Up the other end...
10 minCHANCE! Niasse should be putting Hull ahead here. Markovic does superbly down the right flank before providing the perfect cross for his teammate but the Senegalese attacker didn't anticipate the pass and the ball flew across the six-yard box. It should be a tap-in. What a start to this game.
14 minCHANCE! This is much better from Niasse and only a fine stop from Cech prevents him from giving his side the lead. A cross from Grosicki found the striker at the back post but despite his header going towards the roof of the net, the goalkeeper was able to tip the ball over the bar.
15 minCHANCE! This is such a good game. Arsenal should score through Bellerin, who played a one-two on the edge of the box before receiving it back around 12 yards out but he lashed his effort wide of the near post.
16 minCHANCE! ANOTHER opportunity in these early stages falls to Sanchez, but despite jinking his way across the box, he fails to find the bottom corner from 12 yards out. He normally gobbles up those kind of openings.
20 minThings have calmed down a little but I think we can say with some confidence that this game will not end goalless. Arsenal have arguably been the better side but you have to be impressed by Hull. They look fantastic going forward.
25 minCHANCE! Slowly but surely, Arsenal are starting to build a head of steam but they still can't open the scoring. A fine cross from Sanchez picked out the run of Ozil, but his first-time volley from by the penalty spot went high over the crossbar.
28 minAs you'd expect, Sanchez is behind a lot of what Arsenal are creating inside the final third but more often than not, his teammates don't appear to be on the same wavelength as him. He looks slightly frustrated but he also looks capable of changing the dynamic of this football match.
32 minCHANCE! I thought this was the moment when Arsenal take the lead in this football match but Clucas has made a fantastic block to stop Walcott's volley going into the corner. Shortly afterwards, Maguire headed into Jakupovic's hands from six yards. I don't think the goalkeeper appreciated that!
34 minGOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Hull City (Sanchez)
34 minIt was coming, but I didn't anticipate coming in these circumstances. Gibbs's shot was stopped from finding the bottom corner by Robertson but the ball fell invitingly to Sanchez, who managed to bundle the ball over the line. There were appeals for handball by the Chilean but it wasn't intentional so the goal stands.
37 minThis is now a big 10 minutes or so for Hull. They can't afford to concede a second before the break. There is a chance it will come because they are insistent on remaining on the front foot when they can.
41 minCoquelin makes a pretty cynical foul on Markovic and the Serbian winger isn't happy. He protests while still on the deck and there is a bit of face-touching from Coquelin to try to further antagonise him. It's all very unnecessary. The referee decides to book neither of them.
44 minSomewhat surprisingly, it's Hull making all of the running just before the break. Arsenal look resolute, however, and I think we will reach the break with no more goals.
45 minThere will be one minute of added-on time.
45+1 minHALF TIME: Arsenal 1-0 Hull City
1.18pmThe half-time whistle goes at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal deservedly leads thanks to that contentious goal from Sanchez. Looking back at the replay, he definitely directs the ball into the net with his hand but he's made no unnatural movement so can it be classed as handball? Whatever the answer, it was given and Hull have work to do after the break.
46 minArsenal get us back underway.
47 minWithin a minute of the second half getting underway, Coquelin has gone down clutching his thigh. It looks like Elneny is going to replace him but he is going to try to run it off.
51 minCHANCE! Isn't it strange how a move can transform a player? Markovic and Niasse have been excellent in this match and they almost combine to find an equaliser for Hull. Markovic's cross was controlled by his teammate, who turned and volleyed towards the corner, only to see Cech palm the ball wide.
53 minBOOKING! I'm not sure what has happened there but Walcott is not a happy chappy. He is outmuscled by Maguire before throwing the ball away in disgust, and towards the assistant. It's all something of nothing but he doesn't let it lie. That was a bit out of character but the supporters seemed to enjoy it.
55 minBOOKING! Now Gibbs goes into the book and he is also lucky to stay on the pitch. He prevented Markovic having a clear run on goal and he's made no attempt to play the ball. The Hull players are incensed but only a yellow is given.
58 minI think it's fair to say that Arsenal are having the rub of the green this afternoon. They are marginal calls but they are getting all of them in their favour. Marco Silva may have something to say after the game, even though he comes across as the calmest of gentlemen.
59 minCHANCE! Better from Arsenal who fashion a chance through Iwobi and Ozil. It's Iwobi who ends up taking a shot and aiming it towards the top corner, but it just clears the bar.
60 minSUBSTITUTION! I'm slightly surprised at this change. Evandro comes on for Grosicki, who has been one of Hull's brightest players.
63 minCHANCE! Space is starting to open up in the final third for Arsenal and Walcott is presented with an opportunity on the right-hand side of the box. However, the opening falls on his weaker left foot and his tame effort goes straight at Jakupovic.
66 minSUBSTITUTION! Another change for Hull but this time, it comes in defence. Ahmed Elmohamady comes on for Elabdellaoui. Copy and paste is a handy tool...
69 minSUBSTITUTION! Time for an Arsenal alteration as Walcott is replaced by Mohamed Elneny. A sign that Wenger is shutting up shop?
70 minSUBSTITUTION! Ranocchia goes into the book for making connection with the top of Sanchez's foot. That looked painful.
72 minAn outswinging corner from Ozil is met by Mustafi, but he is around 14 yards out so his header - albeit a good one - fails to hit the target.
76 minBOOKING! Sanchez is cautioned for simulation. There is the slightest of contact from Ranocchia but Sanchez has thrown himself to the floor and is deservedly booked.
77 minCHANCE! It's time for Hull to start knocking on the door and they force Cech into a comfortable save when Maguire's cross is met by Markovic from 12 yards out.
78 minSUBSTITUTION! Silva makes his final change with Adama Diomande coming on for Huddlestone. He is certainly going for it!
82 minSUBSTITUTIONS! It's a double alteration from Wenger, who brings on Lucas Perez and Danny Welbeck for Iwobi and Oxlade-Chamberlain. Eight minutes to go. I still think there is another goal in this game.
84 minBoth teams are having a certain amount of joy in the final third but the final pass is letting them down. Ozil should have done better when latching onto a pass from Sanchez but he over-hit his first touch.
86 minCHANCE! Big chance for Hull. A corner is driven towards the back post and it's a mismatch as Diomande leaps above Bellerin. However, he heads over from no more than eight yards out.
90+1 minPENALTY TO ARSENAL! Clucas stops a Perez header going into the corner with his arm and is correctly sent off. Sanchez to take.
90+3 minGOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Hull City (Sanchez)
90+3 minSanchez deceives Jakupovic and finds the back of the net. Game over.
90+5 minFULL TIME: Arsenal 2-0 Hull City
2.25pmThe full-time whistle goes at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal have secured what turned out to be a hard-fought 2-0 victory. Hull will feel that they have been harshly treated in North London but they were unable to find a goal that their play probably deserved.
2.26pmThat will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us for this game and we hope that you can stick around for all of the commentaries which are coming your way. Goodbye for now.
