Match Report: Bruce The Happier of The Two Managers as Hull Secure Point at Arsenal
In a repeat of last season's FA Cup final, Arsenal welcomed Hull City to the Emirates Stadium, though it was the visitors who headed home the happier of the two teams after another entertaining encounter in the capital.
The Gunners took the initiative this time round courtesy of summer arrival Alexis Sánchez. The Chilean picked up the ball on the right and drove for goal and, from a tight angle, fired a low effort past Steve Harper into the far corner to open the scoring. Their lead lasted just 4 minutes, however, as Mohamed Diamé, somewhat contentiously, drew Hull level. The deadline-day signing appeared to pull Mathieu Flamini back as he bore down on goal, before delicately dinking over Wojciech Szczesny to equalise.
It was perhaps undeserved after what was a dominant first half display from Arsenal. The hosts enjoyed 66% possession and had 14 shots to Hull's 2 in the opening 45 minutes and, had it not been for Steve Harper in the Hull goal, the hosts could have been ahead after the experienced goalkeeper reacted superbly to deny Santi Cazorla from distance prior to Alexis' opener. However, Arsenal fell behind to an Abel Hernández header just moments after the restart after the Uruguayan was picked out by Tom Huddlestone and the former Palermo ace was able to guide his effort past Szczesny.
Hull looked destined for victory, but were unable to hold on as Danny Welbeck dragged the hosts level in stoppage time as Arsenal were made to settle for a point. The Tigers' display was akin to that of Tottenham's in the North London Derby prior to the international break, where they managed to soak up the pressure and hit Arsenal on the break.
Hull's approach was perhaps epitomised best in Diamé's performance. Not only did the former West Ham star net the first half equaliser, but made more tackles (8) than any other player in the encounter. The Senegalese was the highest rated player of all Hull players (7.85) in what was another mightily impressive performance under Steve Bruce.
The Tigers also had defender Michael Dawson to thank for coming away with a point. Despite being forced off with injury in the second half, the centre-back made more clearances (9) than any other player, enforcing just how much pressure Arsenal put the Hull backline under. In contrast, Arsenal as a collective made 5 clearances as they asserted their dominance throughout the encounter, though to little avail.
From an Arsenal perspective, while Welbeck was the hero for the home fans after scoring the equaliser, it was Alexis who deserves the plaudits from the Gunners faithful. The former Barcelona star was the highest rated player (9.35) in the encounter and it was his injection of pace late on that opened up the Hull defence for Welbeck's goal. Arsenal may have attacked evenly down either flank (30%), but Alexis' work rate ensured that Andrew Robertson's impact was limited. Only 23% of Hull's attacks came down the left-wing - a stark contrast from the right (51%) - with Alexis crucial in pegging the Scotland international back in his own half.
Successfully completing more dribbles (5) than any other on the pitch, Alexis, if Arsenal were to rescue anything from the encounter, was going to play a big role in the chance either being created or scored. Hull boss Steve Bruce was full of praise for Arsenal's summer signing and his kind words were justified following a display that Gunners fans have come to expect from the Chile international.
Arsène Wenger, on the other hand, cast a frustrated figure once more. For the second successive home league game, Arsenal have dominated, yet have just one point to show for their efforts. "I think we did enough to win the game," the Frenchman said in his post-match press conference and the stats suggests he is correct, but Bruce will be enthused to have come away from the Emirates with a point, even if they did concede late on.
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