Arsenal produced yet another unconvincing display at the Emirates on Saturday, with the Gunners struggling to beat relegation strugglers Hull City 2-0 at the Emirates.
Alexis Sanchez was once again the saviour for the north Londoners, with the Chilean attacker netting both goals with a couple of helping hands.
The Gunners were the better side in the first-half, but after failing to make the most of some good attacking play, they took the lead on 34 minutes in controversial circumstances.
Sanchez was the scorer for Arsene Wenger’s side, but only after the ball ricocheted off goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic before hitting the Arsenal star on the hand and going in.
In Arsenal’s defence, Sanchez clearly didn’t know what was happening. However, the Hull players were incensed at the decision by Mark Clattenburg to let the goal stand.
In the second-half, the Gunners were arguably fortunate not to lose Kieron Gibbs to a red card after the full-back, who was the last defender, barged into Lazar Markovic. who would’ve been through on goal.
However, once again, Clattenburg ruled in favour of the hosts, after ajudging the ball and attacker to have been going away from goal.
Gibbs
“I did actually try and go for the ball…”
Yea alright mate 😂
Taking one for the team brother!
Me like#COYG pic.twitter.com/k94enU1SHI— Neilby_Gooner 70 ⚽ (@Neilby70) February 11, 2017
With Marco Silva’s side pushing for an equaliser in the second-half, Arsenal caught them on the break late on, with Sanchez rounding Jakupovic before crossing for sub Lucas Perez.
The Spaniard’s subsequent header was handled in front of goal by Sam Clucas, leading to a red card for the Hull man.
Sanchez fired home the resulting spot-kick to seal a precious, if hard-fought, 2-0 win for the Gunners.
While overall, it was a less then convincing display by the north Londoners, the energetic performance of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in midfield will have please the under-pressure Wenger.
As for Hull, they stay in the drop-zone, although they continue to look a much better side under new boss Silva.