Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Hull City and Arsenal.

At the start of the season, Arsenal would have hoped to be a number of points ahead of today's hosts but it's the Tigers who have put together the more eye-catching results this campaign. They may have lost a bit of momentum since winning their first two fixtures but Hull face the Gunners this afternoon with the belief that they can produce a third successive performance in front of their own fans which will only increase the optimism around the club.

It's pretty significant that there is still optimism at the KCOM Stadium given the debacle involving caretaker boss Mike Phelan and the ongoing takeover situation. As it stands, Phelan is still in negotiations with the club having turned down a contract offer in the week. Without knowing the full details, it is difficult to make a full assessment but Phelan suggested that the deal offered to him was not suitable for a Premier League manager. Regardless of who is right and who is wrong, a resolution needs to be found sooner rather than later and if Phelan can lead his team to at least another point this afternoon, it is sure to get him an extra edge when it comes to discussions in the boardroom.

Anyway, enough on my rambling...for now. Let's crack on with the team news.

HULL CITY XI: Jakupovic, Elmohamady, Livermore, Davies, Robertson, Meyler, Huddlestone, Clucas, Diomande, Hernandez, Snodgrass

HULL CITY SUBSTITUTES: Maguire, Maloney, Mbokani, Keane, Henriksen, Marshall, Mason

ARSENAL XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Walcott, Ozil, Iwobi, Sanchez

ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Gibbs, Lucas Perez, Ospina, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Holding, Xhaka, Elneny

Let's get the easy bit of the way first by talking about Hull. It had been suggested that Phelan could draft in a couple of the club's signings from just before the end of the transfer window but he has again decided to name an unchanged starting lineup. However, it's pretty much a certainty that the supporters will get to see a new face from the bench with as many as five taking their place among the replacements.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has decided to make just the two alterations to his team. As expected, Petr Cech replaces David Ospina between the sticks while there is also a start for Theo Walcott, who plays instead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after recovering from a minor injury. There is no place in the squad for Olivier Giroud, who is currently being hampered by a toe injury.

RESULT! It may not have come in the Premier League but we think you may be interested in reading about how Barcelona have got on against Leganes in La Liga. Click here for our on-the-whistle report.

Not the sort of thing that Hull fans want to be reading ahead of the game...

We're expecting @Alexis_Sanchez to continue up front today...

He has a pretty good record against Hull pic.twitter.com/rTYFo27N3G — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) September 17, 2016

HEAD TO HEAD! Given that Hull have only recently surged up the football league pyramid, it's no surprise that these two teams have only previously met on 24 occasions with Arsenal winning 16 times compared to three victories for the Tigers.

Of those matches, eight have taken place since December 2013 but Hull have only managed two draws from the games. In fact, it has been 12 matches in total since Hull got the better of Arsenal. Will it be lucky 13 this afternoon?

We are only four games into the season but it is still worth taking a look at our Stat Centre. You'll see that Arsenal have won their last two fixtures and Hull have not but as I have already mentioned, they enter this match level on points.

LAST MEETING! Despite Hull competing in the Championship last season, the two teams still managed to have what has become their annual match in the FA Cup. After they finished goalless at the Emirates Stadium, the clubs made their way to the KC Stadium for the replay. Read up on how that went by clicking here.

One of the main talking points from Arsene Wenger's pre-match quotes was his insistence that Granit Xhaka needs time to adapt to English football. After playing just 19 minutes against Southampton and Paris Saint-Germain, Wenger was criticised on social media as fans grew impatient over his exclusion from the starting lineup and it's likely to be a similar story this afternoon should Arsenal fail to improve on their lacklustre showings of late. Click here to read those quotes in full.

Before the game, the two clubs will be observing a minute's silence for non-league footballer Daniel Wilkinson, who passed away after collapsing in a fixture for Shaw Lane on Monday night. The 26-year-old had spent time with Hull's youth team before moving into the non-league game.

PREDICTION! Arsenal usually have it all their own way when they come up against Hull but we are backing the Tigers to give the visitors a run for their money this afternoon. However, like in the game against Manchester United, we think the extra class in the Gunners' team will prove pivotal and we are predicting a 2-1 win for Wenger's men.

It's a lot cooler than earlier in the week so let's hope that encourages a fast-paced game.

@HullCity pic.twitter.com/XDUwasKoxp — Harry Bulleyment (@HarryBulleyment) September 17, 2016

It's time for the two teams to make their way onto the pitch at the KCOM Stadium. We will be underway very shortly.

The game is underway. There's a great atmosphere inside the KCOM.

Hull had plenty of possession in the opening two minutes but as soon as they lost the ball, Arsenal surged forward in numbers. That will be the main danger to the Tigers this afternoon. Arsenal look very slick in the early stages.

The home side were struggling to get out of their own half but they've just put together a terrific move which resulted in Robertson seeing a low cross blocked by Mustafi. Encouraging signs, however.

This is quickly developing into a decent game. We are still awaiting our first shot on goal but both teams have started on the front foot. Hull are competing with the visitors in all departments.

The battle between Bellerin and Robertson is throwing up entertainment at both ends of the pitch already. Both men fancy their chances of beating the other for pace so they are looking to attack at will.

CHANCE! The first chance of the game arrives at the feet of Sanchez and it should really have resulted in a goal. A rapid move from the Gunners ended with Walcott drilling the ball across to the Chilean but his first-time effort from 14 yards was blazed into the stands.

Hull win the first corner of the match but it's a woeful delivery from Snodgrass, who curls the ball out at the far post. Phelan will expect better from his top goalscorer.

Arsenal take the lead! After a cross from Walcott is only parried away by the goalkeeper, Iwobi was perfectly placed to fire the ball into the net via the aid of a deflection. Sanchez may have got the last touch but that's unconfirmed at the moment.

It appears that opening goal will go to Sanchez. It's a bit harsh on Iwobi but it could be argued that the final touch was decisive. Hull are second-best in this game now. They just had half a chance through Hernandez but he was never going to get the better of Cech.

This game is opening up and while Hull are getting in behind the full-backs and getting into crossing positions, I'm not sure the rhythm of this match suits them. Arsenal look very dangerous in the final third.

CHANCE! Jakupovic has just kept Hull in this game. Another sparkling Arsenal move ends with the goalkeeper pulling off a terrific save from Iwobi before Ozil struck the rebound over the crossbar from close range. It should be 2-0. Hull cannot afford to fall further behind before half time.

Hernandez is starting to cut a lonely figure in the Hull attack. The Tigers will eventually need to get people closer to the forward but for now, I think he just needs to put a shift in for his side as they look to reach the break no worse than 1-0 down.

BOOKING! The first caution of the game goes to Cazorla, who goes in late on Elmohamady as he burst down the right flank. Easy decision for the referee.

CHANCE! Hull win possession around 40 yards out and surge forward through Diomande. He links up with teammate Hernandez who in turns passes the ball through to Snodgrass. It looks an ideal situation for the Scot to curl the ball into the far corner but he doesn't get enough behind his shot and Cech saves.

RED CARD! Jake Livermore has been sent off for a deliberate handball. It's a bold decision from the referee but it looks the right one. The former Spurs midfielder stopped a certain goal for Coquelin.

MISSED PENALTY! Rather than Cazorla, Sanchez steps up to take the penalty but it's a poor effort and Jakupovic makes the save! Harry Maguire is on for Diomande.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

Both teams are still pushing for a goal before half time. This has been a good game but you have to worry that Hull may start to tire having been reduced to 10 men.

The half-time whistle goes at the KCOM Stadium and Hull have managed to get into half time facing just the one-goal deficit. They would have preferred to have been on level terms but after being reduced to 10 men and Sanchez missing a penalty, they still have something to work with in the second half.

Arsenal get us back underway in the second half.

Within 30 seconds of the restart, Sanchez has won a foul off Huddlestone around 35 yards from goal. Cazorla swung a decent ball into the box but it was well dealt with by the Hull defence.

Huge controversy here. Cazorla has already gotten away with one minor foul and the same has happened again. It was only a clip on Snodgrass but he is very fortunate to be still on the pitch.

Hull are having more of the possession in this second half but we have to remember that they are already down to 10 men. Phelan must use his alterations wisely. Still only one save made by Cech.

That could be game over. It's a shame for Hull because they have started this second half well. Walcott picked up the ball around 30 yards from goal and after playing a neat one-two with Iwobi, the winger clipped the ball over Jakupovic and into the net.

SUBSTITUTION! Phelan decides to make a second change with Ryan Mason being introduced in place of Huddlestone. The former Spurs midfielder would have hoped for better circumstances to make his home debut.

We are an hour through this match and it now appears a case of how many will Arsenal score. They are pushing forward at will and Hull are struggling to cope. This may be a good opportunity for Wenger to give some minutes to new signing Perez.

Arsenal are waiting to make a change but Hull win a free kick before it can be made. Snodgrass's set piece is cleared and when the ball eventually comes back in, Hernandez hits the crossbar with an overhead kick, although the assistant had already raised his flag.

SUBSTITUTION! Xhaka is the man to come on for the Gunners with Cazorla making way. That's a wise decision from Wenger although the Spaniard had been staying out of trouble.

There are less than 20 minutes to go at the KCOM Stadium now. I don't think we are going to see Hull get back into this game but they deserve credit for continuing to battle on. Arsenal can afford to take it easy over the next 15 or 20 minutes but I doubt they will. They want more goals.

Iwobi has been the man of the match in this game and he deserves a goal himself. However, he ends a direct run by teeing up Ozil but the opportunity is soon gone.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Changes for both teams as Hull bring on Mbokani for Hernandez while Elneny replaces Iwobi.

Game on at the KCOM Stadium! Mbokani's first involvement is to run onto a through-ball and he is sent to the ground by a sprawling Cech inside the penalty area. The referee doesn't give it but 10 seconds later, he points to the spot after talking to his assistant. Up steps Snodgrass who sends Cech the wrong way and it's all to play for again!

Well it was fun while it lasted. Arsenal wrap up this game with a third goal through Sanchez, who lashes the ball into the top corner from 12 yards after Walcott had seen his one-on-one chance saved by Jakupovic.

SUBSTITUTION! Final change for Arsenal and it's Lucas Perez who is coming on for Walcott.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

The full-time whistle goes at the KCOM Stadium and Arsenal have registered a 4-1 win over Hull City. The pick of the goals came in added-on time as Xhaka found the roof of the net from 30 yards with a stunning effort.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game but we hope that you can stick around for our coverage of the match between Everton and Middlesbrough. Goodbye for now!