Martin Odegaard's goal clinched a 1-0 win over Hull to send Arsenal six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Hull defended resolutely for over an hour at the Emirates Stadium but the pressure told when Odegaard reacted quickest to convert a rebound after Konstantinos Tzolakis had saved from Noni Madueke.
Arsenal struggled to create clear openings for much of the contest and lacked cutting edge in the first half as Kai Havertz wasted a one-on-one chance and Christos Tzolis spurned opportunities.
The hosts were also controversially denied a penalty following a VAR check when Havertz was adjudged to have been offside as his shirt was pulled by Nobel Mendy near the end of the first period.
According to Premier League rules, however, the foul by Mendy should have taken precedence as Havertz was not "attempting to play the ball, or challenging for the ball" as he made his run, meaning the penalty should have been awarded.
Hull were difficult to break down and went close to an opener when Elliot Stroud forced a fine save from a full-stretch David Raya, but Arsenal stepped up the intensity in the second half and eventually made the all-important breakthrough.
Odegaard's goal, his first since a run of four in five games between August and September, extends their lead over Manchester City before Enzo Maresca's side face Nottingham Forest.
Analysis: Konsa sums up Arsenal solidity
This was not a vintage attacking display from Arsenal but defensively there were few faults. Their seventh clean sheet in 10 Premier League games, and 10th in 16 overall, owed a lot to their centre-back pairing. Gabriel and Ezri Konsa excelled again.
William Saliba's impending return will put pressure on Konsa to retain his place but on current form he may keep hold of the shirt. Highlights from his display included a last-ditch block on Mohamed Ali-Cho when was suddenly exposed on the break.
There was no self-congratulation afterwards. Instead he berated the referee for a perceived Hull foul, then got on with business. By the end of the game, he had won all seven of his duels and completed all but two of his 53 passes, a picture of composure.
He is making an immense contribution at the club. Arsenal had one early scare when Stroud forced a save from Raya but it is now 444 minutes without conceding a goal in the Premier League.
Odegaard won it but Konsa did his bit too.
Jakirovic: We were brave
Hull head coach Sergej Jakirovic speaking to Sky Sports:
"We were brave, especially in the defensive phase. We didn't allow a lot of space. Sometimes we lost duels and they had good transitions.
"On the ball, we needed much better decisions to be braver and quicker transitions. If we had this, then we'd be more dangerous.
"We had some good chances but they stopped them."
- 5: CHANCE! Ezri Konsa flicks a Noni Madueke cross to the far post but Gabriel can't quite nudge it over the line
- 19: SAVE! Raya dives to his right to make a full-stretch save from Stroud as Hull threaten an opener
- 28: WIDE! Declan Rice fires a powerful shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box
- 40: WASTE! Havertz goes through on goal but tries to cut back onto his left foot and loses possession
- 44: VAR DRAMA! Arsenal are denied a penalty with Havertz penalised for offside as he is fouled by Mendy
- 57: CHANCE! Madueke forces a save from Tzolakis at his near post
- 72: GOAL! Odegaard makes the breakthrough as he coolly dinks his finish over Tzolakis following Madueke's shot
- 87: CHANCE! Madueke misses a chance to wrap up the win as he is stopped while trying to round the goalkeeper before Hull clear the deflection off the line
