Odegaard's late goal beat Hull after Havertz's penalty was cancelled

Arsenal beat Hull City 1-0 at the Emirates with more of the ball and shots than usual but fewer clear chances, and Hull's goalkeeper did much of the work.

Kai Havertz's penalty was cancelled after a video review in the 43rd minute, and the game stayed goalless until Martin Odegaard struck in the 72nd. Hull City left the Emirates beaten 1-0, but the more useful question is what the win says about Arsenal. They had more of the ball and more of the shots than usual, yet their clear chances were fewer.

Arsenal had 67% of the ball, well above the 59.1% they average at home this season, which is a clear step up. Hull's 33% was almost exactly their away average of 33.9%, so the visitors had the share of possession they normally do. The biggest change was in shooting, with Arsenal taking 20 attempts against a usual 12.6.

Shots and chances are different things, and this is where the story turns. Expected goals, or xG, is a score given to each chance based on how often chances like it go in, from a tap-in close to goal to a speculative effort from distance. Arsenal's total of 1.01 was below their home average of 1.48, and below the 1.39 an average Premier League side produced in these matches. So they shot more often, but their efforts were less dangerous than they usually are.

Arsenal's defence was also tighter than usual. Hull's expected goals of 0.36 came in under the 0.61 that Arsenal normally concede at home, and David Raya made just two saves. Hull's own attack was quieter too: they average 1.11 expected goals away from home, but managed only seven shots this time, against a usual 10.2.

Odegaard's goal came from two shots, one of them on target, and that was enough. The Hull goalkeeper K. Tzolakis made nine saves and earned a rating of 8.2, the same mark as Odegaard, so the afternoon was decided as much by his work at one end as by the finish at the other. Arsenal's chances were not poor, but the goalkeeper kept the margin to one.

Hull were booked several times, starting with Lewie Coyle in the 34th minute, and conceded 15 fouls to Arsenal's five. That is a lot of stopping play for a side that had so little of the ball. Those fouls are part of the picture, but the penalty decision is what changed how the first half felt.

Arsenal have won eight of their nine home league games, lost one and sit top of the table with 24 points, having scored 14 and conceded 5. Hull are 12th on 11 points, with two wins, five draws and two defeats away from home.

Player of the matchM. Ødegaard1 goal8.2

K. Tzolakis9 saves8.2

E. Konsa7 duels won7.3

Bruno Guimarães2 chances created7.2