Cricket Entertainment: Arsenal vs Hull City

Arsenal suffered a crashing 2-1 home defeat to newly promoted Hull City today as they Gunners are left in the fourth place in the league table with 12 points. It was undoubtedly a very big blow for the Wenger boys who were flying high since the loss at Fulham. With this victory, Hull City continues their surprise performance in the league and currently stands in the sixth position in the point table.

Arsenal was put ahead in the match by Cesc Fabregas in the 47^th minutes of the match. However, Hull City scored twice to come out with three points from Emirates stadium. First, Cousin headed home Andy Dawson's corner to equalize the score, and minutes later, Hull City got the winning goal thanks to a spectacular 25-yard strike from Geovanni.

Arsenal tried their best to come back in the match, but all of their efforts went in vain as the Hull defense was up to the mark. William Gallas had a good chance in the 83^rd minute, while Boaz Myhill denied Fabregas in his pursuit to level the score. Hull City has been in revelation so far this season. Promoting to the premier league, Hull City has showed that they have the quality and talent to survive in the top level.

The defeat came as a big blow for the Arsene Wenger boys as they have been playing very well since their defeat to Fulham earlier this season. Losing 3 points is not the all Arsenal lost in the match. Rather, the Gunners lost the momentum they achieved in their 6-0 Carlig Cup thrash over Sheffield United. Arsenal is still in the title race, but if they continue losing points after every few matches, then I am not sure for how long they will be in the title challenge.

BBC

Arsenal will host newly promoted Hull City at the Emirates Stadium on 27 September 2008. Both the sides are now full of confident on the back of their recent form in premier league. Arsenal moved up at the top of the point table with last weekend’s 3-1 away victory at Bolton Wanders, while Hull City drew against Everton 2-2 at the KC Stadium in the last Sunday’s premier league encounter. After being promoted to premier league, Hull City has already picked up two victories alongside two draws and a defeat in the first five premier league matches so far. With eight points under their belt, Hull City now secured the eighth place in the league table.

Match: Arsenal vs Hull City; English Premier League 2008-2009

Date: 27 September 2008, Saturday

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Kick off: 17:30 BST (British Standard Time)

Since Arsenal’s defeat away at Fulham, they have been in imperious form that saw Arsenal scoring 21 goals besides conceding two in their last six matches in all competitions. Arsene Wenger boys are now in firing form with most of the players playing at their prime. With 12 points, Arsenal is just a point ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool. So, the Gunners need to pull off a victory over Hull City at home in order to keep their place at the top intact. So, knowing the fact that a slip up against Hull City may cost them the top place in the table, Arsenal playing will go into the match eyeing on a victory.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger featured a very young side including a number of players from Arsenal’s reserve team against Sheffield United in the third round encounter of Carling Cup on Tuesday. However, the seemingly reserve side pulled off a confidence-booster 6-0 victory against Sheffield United and secured a place in the fourth round. With all the key players, who were rested for the Carling Cup showdown, coming back in the starting line up, Arsenal is expected to be stronger than it was in the Carling Cup meeting with Sheffield United.

Hull City, on the other hand, has already proved that it has talent and skill to become a club who are capable of taking stern test of premier league giants. Except the 5-0 thrash by Wigan Athletic, Hull City has been playing extremely well. Last Sunday, they pushed Everton all the way in the 2-2 affair in which Everton needed to come back from 2-0 down to pick up a point from the match. Moreover, winning over Newcastle United 2-1, Hull City proved that any kind of negligence to them might be lethal for their opponents. So, Arsenal must not underestimate the Tigers ahead of the home meeting.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will find defender Gael Clichy available for the match as the player recovered quickly from an injury that he sustained in the 3-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers. Mikael Silvestre could be handed his debut match for Arsenal since he joined the club from Manchester Untied last month. However, Abou Diaby has been ruled out of the match with thigh injury. Long term absentees like Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo remain sidelined. The good news for Arsenal fans is that midfielder Samir Nasri is fit for the Hull City encounter after recovering from knee injury.

Hull City manager Phil Brown has named striker Dean Windass in the line up for the visit to Emirates stadium. Dean Windass expressed his frustration after being ruled out of Everton match and questioned his future at Hull City. Now, he could get some action against Arsenal. Hull City signed Bolton midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos recently, but he will be feature against Arsenal as the player lacks match fitness. Brown will not get the service of Craig Fagan who picked up a serious injury against Newcastle United.

Missing Craig Fagan will be a huge blow for Hull City as they player had been playing pretty well this season. Moreover, Anthony Gardner has been left out of the squad to visit the North London club on Saturday as the player missed club’s training with a thing injury.

Online Live Score and Updates

Here, I am giving some names of online live score websites from where you can get the live score and updates of the match:

Live Score

Goalzz

Live Football Scores

Goal.com

Footie Scorez

Arsenal is undoubtedly favorite against Hull City. However, I think, it would be little risky to write off Hull City, even though Arsenal is playing at their prime at this moment. Arsenal might face some strong challenge from Hull City, but still a victory for Arsenal seems to the likely result to conclude the match.