Robinson says Arsenal 'don't win that game two seasons ago'
Arsenal ground out a 1-0 win over Hull City, and according to Paul Robinson, that kind of result would not have been possible from Mikel Arteta's side even two years ago. The victory, sealed by an Ødegaard strike, moved Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League, but it was far from a comfortable afternoon.
Arteta's side dominated large spells of the contest and created enough chances to win by a wider margin, yet had to settle for the single goal. Despite that, the result highlighted a trait that has increasingly defined this Arsenal side: the ability to grind out results even when the performance does not match the scoreline.
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In previous seasons, games like this have been a source of frustration for Arsenal, with dominant performances sometimes failing to translate into victories against well organised, defensive opponents. This version of the team appears far more comfortable navigating that kind of test.
Robinson praises Arsenal's resilience
Speaking on Premier League Productions, former England and Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson pointed to the win as evidence of how far Arsenal have progressed under Arteta.
“I don't think Arsenal win that game two seasons ago, that shows how far they've come in a short space of time. They've got real resilience now. They're a team of winners. They find a way to win, week after week, and they're setting the standards.”
Robinson's comments reflect a broader shift in how Arsenal are perceived. Where past sides were sometimes accused of wilting under pressure or failing to see out tight contests, this squad has built a reputation for finding a way through, even against sides set up to frustrate them.
Margins matter less than momentum
Arteta will still want more clinical finishing from his side in matches where they create the volume of chances they did against Hull City. Converting more of that dominance into goals would make afternoons like this far more comfortable.
For now, though, the three points matter more than the manner of the win. Arsenal have shown throughout this campaign that they are capable of winning ugly as well as winning well, and that kind of consistency is often what separates genuine title contenders from pretenders.
With the gap at the top now standing at six points, Arsenal will be looking to maintain that standard as the season progresses, regardless of how convincing each individual scoreline looks.
