Grim day at the Emirates..
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Hull City stunned Arsenal by coming from a goal behind to secure a famous win and become only the second side to win at the Emirates. A Cesc Fabregas goal opened the scoring for the Gunners but a Geovani screamer and a Cousin header sealed a shock win for Hull City. As the Score ended 2-1.
Arsenal’s youngsters had stolen the headlines all week, and rightly so, for their 6-0 Carling Cup demolition job of Sheffield United. However, none of the Carling Cup side made it into the starting lineup for today’s game against Hull.
Yet despite having restored his first team, Arsene Wenger’s side struggled against their newly promoted opponents and endured a frustrating first half which ended goalless despite the home side’s best efforts.
Instead, a profligate Gunners reverted to their old ways, overplaying the ball when often well-placed whilst the visitors defended stubbornly and with a confidence borne of their strong start to the season.
Keeping with the general theme of the week, it was one of Arsenal’s youngest players who had the best chances of the first half.
Theo Walcott had several opportunities to open the scoring for the Gunners but a combination of excellent defending and wanting too much time on the ball denied the young Englishman.
Whilst the Gunners dominated possession and carved out some excellent opportunities they rarely threatened Myhill in the Hull City's goal and a frustrated Arsene Wenger could only watch on in dismay.
However, whilst the first half was largely disappointing fare, the second period sparked into life within minutes of the restart with Hull almost taking the lead. The Gunners failed to clear a corner and a speculative shot from Boateng was saved almost on the line by Fabregas’ outstretched leg.
The chance spurred Arsenal into life and less then five minutes they were ahead, albeit through the scrappiest of goals.
Van Persie played Walcott in on the break and he bamboozled several Hull defenders before a low cross was deflected off Adebayor into the path of a combination of Fabregas and McShane who bundled it into the net.
Minutes later and it should have been two. Van Persie set up Eboue but his attempted back heel was deflected into the path of Adebayor, who, with the goal at his mercy, took too much time, and his shot was well defended and deflected high and wide by the Hull defence.
With a lead established Arsenal threatened to overwhelm Hull who were left rocking by the home side’s change in tempo yet they held firm and to the dismay of the home crowd hit back in stunning style.
Geovani put them level on the hour mark, leaving Arsenal to rue their missed chances. A stunning strike from the Brazilian from out on the left, swerved and dipped into the top corner leaving Almunia absolutely no chance and putting the sides back on level terms
Only minutes later and Hull were in dreamland. A corner in from the right found Cousin outjumping William Gallas and his header flew over Fabregas on the post and into the back of the net.
A shocked Wenger responded quickly, throwing on Bendtner and Vela as Arsenal pressed forwards searching for an equaliser.
Van Persie came close after being put through by Fabregas but Gallas came even closer, his header coming off the bar and hitting Vela but falling wide. Myhill then tipped over a fine strike from Fabregas in stoppage time as Hull held on for a famous victory to continue their fantastic start to life in the top flight.
Arsenal, meanwhile, fabulous in midweek, trudged off at the final whistle thoroughly dejected leaving Arsene Wenger, who having just his watched his dislodged from the top of the table and conceding again from a set piece, with much to ponder.
A set back for the Gunners but it's still the beginning of the season and Arsenal need to work on their Set pieces and finishing.
Arsenal: Almunia, Clichy, Toure, Gallas, Sagna, Walcott (Vela, 76), Fabregas, Denilson, Eboue (Bendtner, 68), Adebayor, van Persie
Hull City: Myhill, Turner, Dawson, McShane, Ashbee, Zayatte, Boateng (Garcia, 76), Marney, King, Geovani (Hughes,72), Cousin (Mendy, 79)
GOALS
1-0 Arsenal (Fabregas, 50)
1-1 Hull (Geovani, 62)
1-2 Hull (Cousin, 66)

