Arsenal host Premier League surprise side Hull City in the final match before the November international break. It’s a rare home match in a sea of recent away contests, although once the season resumes, the Gunners will hardly have to leave London until the new year.
A cautionary note: this time last season an unbeaten-streaking Arsenal traveled (a key difference) to face Sunderland, a newly-promoted side that was far exceeding expectations in the early season. The Black Cats pegged the Gunners back
late to split the points. The circumstances are much the same today! This is not a match for Mikel Arteta’s bunch to overlook.
Hull aren’t quite as high in the table as Sunderland were when they first faced Arsenal last season, but the Tigers are a tough side to beat. They’ve only lost twice this season – 2-5-2. They’ve scored 11 and conceded 10. They’re playing Premier League average football, which is saying something because their underlying numbers upon promotion suggested they could be among the worst PL sides ever. They play hard and they don’t give up.
Mikel Arteta said in his press conference that it was important for his side to build momentum heading into the break. Call the reasons what you like, Arsenal need to keep winning. They need to keep the pressure on the chasing clubs, build up a cushion for the (likely) inevitable wobble, give themselves as much breathing room as possible ahead of the crowded festive period, et cetera, et cetera.
Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka, who is set for another scan in a little while once the fluid around his thigh injury dissipates. William Saliba, who made the expanded Champions League bench, is understandably not in the matchday squad. Max Dowman serves the second match of his red card suspension. Ezri Konsa, who came off after 60 minutes midweek because he was feeling something, is fine, as confirmed by Mikel Arteta before the match. Everyone else who was carrying minor knocks is good to go.
Hull City have a lengthy list of injured players. Eliot Matazo is out long-term with an ACL repair. Matt Targett, Ilyas Ansah, Charlies Hughes, and Hidemasa Morita are all out for the short- to medium-term. Matt Crooks is suspended for yellow card accumulation, 5 in 9 matches.
Arsenal – Raya, Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Guimaraes, Madueke, Ødegaard, Tzolis, Havertz
Hull – Tzolakis, Coyle, Ajayi, Egan, Mendy, Stroud, Slater, Iroegbunam, Gourna, McBurnie, Cho
WHO: Arsenal vs Hull City
WHAT: Premier League MD10
WHERE: The Emirates Stadium, London
WHEN: Saturday, November 7th, 7:00 am PST | 10:00 am EST | 3:00 pm GMT
HOW TO WATCH: Broadcast on NBCSN and Telemundo. Streaming on Peacock.
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