It was not pretty, but Martin Odegaard's goal was enough to secure the 1-0 win that ensured Arsenal go into the international break as the Premier League leaders. It was Arsenal's 34th 1-0 win under Mikel Arteta, to equal their best start to a Premier League season under the Spaniard of 27 points earned after 10 games in 2022-23. No team has enjoyed more 1-0 wins since Arteta was appointed back in 2019, with the Gunners winning their past 10 home games in all competitions, keeping eight clean sheets in that time.
Odegaard's goal though, bundled home from close range, may well have been a relief to those at Pro Ref, too. A controversial video assistant referee (VAR) decision, which denied the Gunners a first-half penalty, threatened to be the story as a largely uneventful game drifted by. When referee Farai Hallam was sent to the pitchside monitor for a VAR review for a shirt pull by Nobel Mendy on Kai Havertz, surely everyone inside the Emirates was expecting a penalty.
The irony would not be lost on Liverpool fans, who were denied a VAR penalty for a shirt pull last weekend when Arsenal's Jurrien Timber tugged back Alexander Isak. Unlike Isak, Havertz made sure everyone - including VAR Michael Oliver, was aware that a defender had hold of his shirt. Indeed, the cheers had already begun when Hallam started to describe the foul to the crowd - but Gunners supporters were stopped in their tracks.
The referee pivoted to an offside against Havertz, and play restarted with a free-kick to Hull. Had Arsenal not mustered that 72nd-minute winner from their captain, much of the attention would, once again, have been on VAR. Tottenham set to complain to Pro Ref - but should Bogle have seen red?
Odegaard hits winner as Arsenal beat Hull to extend lead at top If Arsenal had dropped points, it wouldn't have been the first time this weekend that a match would have been dominated by discussions about the video officials. On Friday, Coventry City were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty against Everton for a hair pull by James Tarkowski on Caleb Yirenkyi. Then in the second half, when Thierno Barry scored to put the Toffees 2-1 up and the ball appeared to come off his hand.
The controversy continued in Saturday's early kick-off between Leeds and Tottenham. First, Leeds wanted a penalty for handball by Mateus Fernandes, though replays did show the ball hit the Spurs player's shoulder. Then came the potential red card for a challenge by Jayden Bogle on Mathys Tel, which has split opinion.
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