Arsenal 2-0 Hull: Alexis lends a hand [VIDEO]

Handballs or the lack thereof) were the order of the day as Arsenal wasted numerous chances against Hull's packed-in defense. Finally, in the 33rd minute, Alexis scored a ball-to-hand after a flurry on Hull's line. That would be about it as far as clear-cut chances until stoppage time when Hull's keeper had come off his line, full-Fabiański, leading to a scramble in which Lucas's header forced Hull defender Clucas to extend his arm to attempt the goal-line clearance. Clattenburg issued the red, and Alexis slotted the penalty to make it 2-0. It wasn't ever pretty, but it's a result, and we'll take it. Enjoy the highlights below!

"It's all going according to plan", or "we are Hull's Bayern..."

Don't worry, lads; the master-plan is still coming together as originally drawn. The loss at home to Watford, followed by the capitulation at Stamford Bridge, are but gambits in larger chess-match. The Prem title is not only still up for grabs, we have it right where we want it. Trust me on this. It feels better than acknowledging reality. Reality, of course, has us trailing Chelsea by 12 points with just 14 matches left. While it might at first seem a relief to host Hull, stranded as it were in the relegation dog-fight, they've shown some fight of late and seem more than ready to upset a few apple carts.

Worried about Walcott: why hasn't the Arsenal stalwart ever quite hit the big time?

Last year, Theo Walcott celebrated ten years as an Arsenal player. And in an era where so many players are attracted by the brighter lights and heavier wage packets of the foreign leagues, that’s a pretty impressive stint. It doesn’t appear to be in danger of ending any time soon, either. At the time of writing, Walcott has scored fourteen times in twenty-seven appearances this season and has been in stellar form. Despite this, his place as an Arsenal legend is still debated. Many will say he isn’t strong enough (despite clearly spending a considerable amount of time in the gym of late), lacks desire, or doesn’t have the football mind that many of his peers have been born with.

Will Arsenal shake their Swansea-struggles? Lucas Pérez says si...

At first blush, a trip Swansea might be just the balm to sooth Gooners' frayed and tattered nerves after leaving it awfully late in recent weeks at Dean Court and Deepdale. However, a closer look at Arsenal's record at home or away to the Welsh side suggests that we'd do well to be wary, even if they've now named a fourth manager in one season, have shipped 45 goals across 20 matches, and are likely paying closer attention to goings-on in the Championship than in the Prem.

Arsenal sign three key Frenchmen to bolster title-tilt!

With the January transfer window now open, and with Arsenal's hopes in the Prem, FA Cup and Champions League each suffering to varying degrees, it should come as some consolation that Arsène has seen fit to loosen the purse-strings ever so slightly to shore up the squad. The signings of three vital French players, long a hallmark of Arsène's transfer policy and priority, may not strengthen the squad per se but should at least solidify it for the near-future. I'm referring of course to the new contracts signed by Olivier Giroud, Francis Coquelin, and Laurent Koscielny.