Summary

  • Arsenal edge to win over battling Hull

  • Sanchez scores twice, a late penalty and controversial opener

  • First goal went in off striker's hand

  • Hull's Clucas sent off for handball on the goal-line

  1. Postpublished at 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    I think that's about all for now. Apparently there's some other football going on in the Premier League, the EFL, and in Scotland. Enjoy.

  2. 'Referee apologised'published at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull City

    Hull City

    Hull boss Marco Silva told BBC Sport: "The most important thing is the result. It was a very good second half. We had control of it and caused Arsenal problems. They started the game better than us and after the story of the first half they score with handball. We didn't deserve this result.

    Was the first goal handball? "My players didn't feel when the referee started the second half and the referee apologised with the handball. After this a really important moment in the game when Markovic had the big chance but this is football and I don't want to talk about this.

    "In my mind it is always possible to do better. We need now to rest our players and prepare for the next match."

  3. Postpublished at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    To be honest, Wenger hasn't told us a great deal there, has he?

  4. Postpublished at 14:54 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull City

    Arsenal

    Arsene Wenger on his future: "I focus on what is important, winning football games and getting the team to perform. The rest, I cannot influence. 

    "I have big respect for this country and this club, and I am grateful because I have worked here for 20 years. My job is to make these people happy and when I don't do that I feel guilty - that's why it's important for us to win.

  5. Postpublished at 14:52 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    And, in a roundabout way, without actually mentioning the former Arsenal striker, Arsene Wenger was asked about his future (but with no specific reference to Ian Wright)...

  6. 'I focus on what is important, winning football games'published at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull

    Arsenal

    Arsene Wenger speaking to Match of the Day: "We were resilient, focused and organised, but a bit with the handbrake on as we were under pressure to win the game. In the end perhaps we were fortunate to get away with a positive result. 

    "We created really clear-cut chances, quite a few in the first half, but just couldn't finish the game off. 

    "Hull were impressive today, physically, tactically, and did really well."

    Arsene WengerImage source, Getty Images
  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    #bbcfootball

    Greg: Join the very very long list of clubs who have been Clattenburged, Hull!

    Dave Payn: For all his moans about decisions Wenger's Christmases have all come at once. Maybe the praise has gone to Clatts' head. 

  8. 'The pressure may be getting to Wenger'published at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull

    Garth Crooks
    Former Spurs striker on Final Score

    "No-one has greater admiration for Arsene Wenger than myself. I think it's a privilege for him, and honour, to be able to plot his own exit. 

    "But I do have concerns that have grown over a number of years. The pressure may be getting to him. When he pushed that fourth official recently I thought it may have become time for him to take a break from the game."

    Wenger in standsImage source, Reuters
  9. 'There is a doom and gloom around the club'published at 14:43 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull

    Martin Keown
    Former Arsenal defender on Final Score

    "Arsenal had to win today for Arsene Wenger, but if they lose both the upcoming games in the Champions League and the FA Cup then that will make the situation really difficult. Because there is a doom and gloom around the club."

  10. Postpublished at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull City

    Arsenal

    Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, speaking to Sky Sports: "I felt we were resilient, focused. It was not easy against a good side. There was an edgy atmosphere but as a player you have to cope with that."

    Had good fortune in the win? "Maybe. Sorry for that but I cannot influence that. 

    "Our job is not to focus too much on what is said and focus on what we are responsible - the performance on the pitch."

  11. 'The referee apologised to us'published at 14:39 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull

    Hull City

    Hull defender Andrew Robertson for Sky Sports on the Alexis Sanchez handball controversy: "The referee apologised to us after half-time and said it was a handball. He obviously realises he was in the wrong. It must be tough for him, but often decisions don't go your way when you come to these big stadiums. 

    "The ref told us he didn't give it because he wasn't 100% sure. Not many referees can admit they're wrong, so it's good when he does though it doesn't make things better."

    Sanchez handballImage source, Getty Images
  12. Postpublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    "Maybe" we had some good fortune, says Wenger. Maybe would be an understatement, Arsene.

  13. Postpublished at 14:36 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Sanchez's first goal, the Gibbs challenge on Markovic - did Wenger see them? He's just appeared...

  14. Postpublished at 14:34 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull City

    Hull City

    Hull City boss Marco Silva, speaking to Sky Sports: "2-0 is not the story of the game. We didn't start well in the first half. We lost some balls in important zones. They scored one goal handball. We make mistakes, sometimes the referee make mistakes too. We don't have a good day but that is football.

    Should Kieran Gibbs have been sent off? "Yes. It is true. Markovic go to the goal. 

    "I see positives in the game. I liked how we reacted in the second half. Now we have time to rest and prepare for the next game."

    SilvaImage source, Reuters
  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    #bbcfootball

    Adam Reid: A blatant handball goal and a penalty given for blatant handball. Hardly convincing for Arsenal.

  16. 'We need to be consistent'published at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull

    Arsenal

    Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech: "There are not many games left to be played, and though Chelsea have a big advantage all we can do is make sure we keep winning our games. 

    "The table is very congested in the race for the Champions League positions, so this win is exactly what we needed. 

    "We need to be consistent, because we do have periods where we do well then other weeks when we lose games. We need to improve where we can improve and ensure we are ready for every game, because now every game will be like a final."

    CechImage source, Getty Images
  17. Postpublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull City

    Arsenal

    More from Kieran Gibbs: "The players do not get too involved in politics, we just want to play football. At the end of the day the most important thing is what happens on the pitch. We have a job to do and that is it."

  18. 'A slightly unconvincing performance'published at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull

    David Pleat
    Former Spurs boss at Emirates Stadium for 5 live Sport

    "I think Arsenal shaded the game. They will have to play far, far better against Bayern Munich next week. 

    "A slightly unconvincing performance, and of course it was a crucial decision not to send off Kieran Gibbs. It was kindly by Mark Clattenburg."

    Koscielny waveImage source, Getty Images
  19. 'I took a chance with the challenge'published at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull City

    Arsenal

    Arsenal full-back Kieran Gibbs, speaking Sky Sports: "It was a good chance for us to show a response and we did that today. I still think we can play a lot better, we have a squad to cause a lot of damage, we will sharpen up and look even stronger.

    "It is the first time I have heard about a hand so I will have to see it again. I am sure a few decisions have not gone our way so I'm not too concerned about that.

    "I took a chance with the challenge on Markovic. The ref said the ball was going away from goal."  

  20. 'The referee's decisions have hurt Hull today'published at 14:27 Greenwich Mean Time 11 February 2017

    Arsenal 2-0 Hull

    Peter Swan
    Former Hull City defender on BBC Radio Humberside

    Hull City's performance was strong, and they did really all they could. The referee's decisions have hurt Hull today, but the side are showing they've got a very real chance of staying up.