Arsenal must move Hull’s block before attacking it
Hull are likely to defend with numbers behind the ball and protect the centre. Arsenal can create better openings by changing the point of attack quickly rather than sending an early cross into a crowded box.
The champions also need patience around the edge of the area. One rushed pass can give Hull the counter-attacking moment they are waiting for.
Hull need a reliable outlet
The fixture is scheduled for 15:00 GMT on 7 November. Hull cannot spend the whole match defending within their own third, because every clearance would simply begin another Arsenal attack.
A forward who can protect the first pass gives the midfield time to move up the pitch. The wide players must then support quickly enough to turn possession into a real break.
The favourite still has to manage risk
Arsenal have won 18 of their last 19 Premier League matches against promoted clubs. That record explains the expectation around the game, but it does not remove the danger of one poorly defended transition.
Hull can play with less pressure and use that freedom to be aggressive in selected moments. Arsenal’s task is to keep the match in the areas where their technical quality matters most and prevent the visitors from turning it into a sequence of open duels.