Strikes from Aaron Ramsey and Lukas Podolski have given Arsenal a two-goal advantage from the opening 45 minutes of their Premier League clash at Hull City this afternoon.
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It was the hosting Tigers that started the clash brightly as centre-back Curtis Davies rose highest to meet a Tom Huddlestone corner at the back post, but he failed to make a clean connection and Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny gathered with ease.
Next to try his luck for the home side in the 16th minute was Nikica Jelavic, who reacted quickly to Huddlestone's through-ball. His left-footed shot appeared to have beaten Szcezesny, but the Polish custodian flicked out a hand at the final second to divert the danger.
Up the other end, Podolski broke into the Hull penalty area, but the German's powerful effort was palmed to safety by Steve Harper, who has continued to deputise between the posts in the absence of Allan McGregor.
Harper was powerless, though, to prevent the Gunners from breaking the deadlock in the 31st minute. Mesut Ozil picked out Santi Cazorla on the edge of the area and the Spaniard in turn played in the advancing Ramsey.
From there, the Welsh international was too quick for Davies, which allowed him enough time to slot his 14th goal of the campaign inside Harper's far post.
Hull's response to falling behind was positive and they thought that they had restored parity when Jake Livermore took aim from 25 yards out, but his low shot cannoned to safety off the upright.
Their disappointment was then compounded further in the 45th minute as the North Londoners doubled their advantage in controversial circumstances.
Hull felt that Jelavic had been fouled by Mikel Arteta earlier in the move, but referee Jon Moss waved play on and Arsenal broke.
The counter-attack ended with Olivier Giroud crossing for Ramsey, who teed up Podolski to send a half-volley beyond the reach of a static Harper.
Liam Apicella
