Mikel Arteta's tactical adjustment helped Arsenal move six points clear at the top of the Premier League table, as the Gunners overcame a controversial officiating call to beat Hull City 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The first half saw Arsenal frustrated by both the Hull defence and the officials, before a change from the Spanish boss allowed Martin Odegaard to appear in the box and score the decisive goal.
VAR Controversy Overshadows First Half
Arsenal spent the opening period frustrated by Hull, who have proven their defensive strength this season. The game was overshadowed by a penalty appeal that left the Arsenal players furious after Kai Havertz was pulled down by Nobel Mendy in the box, with the on-field official waving the appeals away.
VAR determined that a foul had occurred, but a penalty was not awarded because Havertz was in an offside position. The BBC's football issues correspondent explained the decision, stating: "That is a very controversial VAR intervention at the Emirates. A player who is in an offside position only becomes active when they commit an offside offence."
"Kai Havertz must be 'attempting to play the ball, or challenging an opponent for the ball' - otherwise the shirt pull by Nobel Mendy takes precedence. The foul comes before any offside offence. Havertz did not commit an offside offence, and this should have been a spot-kick to Arsenal regardless of the offside."
Arteta's Bold Substitution Pays Off
Arteta made the bold decision to take off Declan Rice, bringing on the more attacking Mikel Merino from the bench. The change allowed Arsenal to stretch the Hull defence and create more opportunities in the second half.
It was a chance that allowed the Gunners to take the lead. Noni Madueke created space on the right wing, and after his shot was spilled, Odegaard was on hand to lift the ball into the net.
Hull, however, refused to give up and had an effort cleared off the line as they searched for an unlikely equaliser.
City Clash Looms
Attention now turns to Manchester City, who can cut the gap back to three points when they travel to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening. City will feel the pressure after losing their last two Premier League encounters with Brighton and Aston Villa.
The top two are set to face each other at the Emirates on November 29 after the international break.
