Alexis Sanchez’s double help Arsenal see-off 10-man Hull City

Alexis Sanchez scored twice, as Arsenal cruised to a 4-1 victory over 10-man Hull at the KC Stadium, as Wenger’s men continued their winning run in the Premier League.

Early pressure told in the 17th minute when Eldin Jakupovic palmed Theo Walcott’s cross into the path of Alex Iwobi. The Nigerian’s volley rifled its way into the bottom corner, though there remained some debate as to whether Alexis Sanchez got the final touch.

The north Londoners were far from convincing in a midweek Champions League draw at Paris St Germain, just days after fortuitously overcoming Southampton, but matters were far more comprehensive at the KCOM Stadium.

Hull have only beaten the Gunners once since 1915 and that poor run was extended on Saturday, with Sanchez’s double helping to secure a 4-1 win against a City side who were reduced to 10 men just before the break after Jake Livermore was sent off.

Sanchez has now scored six goals in five matches in all competitions against the Tigers, and got the first of Saturday’s contest early on after directing home an Alex Iwobi shot.

Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic should have done better in the build-up to the opener, but went some way to making amends by denying Sanchez from the spot-kick that followed Livermore’s handball.

The midfielder-cum-defender was perhaps harshly sent off and Arsenal capitalised 10 minutes after half-time, with Theo Walcott collecting a clever flick by the impressive Iwobi to clip home. Harry Maguire could only help the goal-bound ball into his own net.

Robert Snodgrass reduced the deficit late on when referee Roger East awarded a penalty, but Sanchez rifled home and substitute Granit Xhaka opened his account in stunning fashion as Arsenal became the first away side to win six competitive matches at the KCOM Stadium.

Mike Phelan, still only in caretaker charge of Hull despite winning August’s manager of the month award, stuck with the same starting line-up that had served him so well this term, while Petr Cech and Walcott came in for the visitors.

The latter was soon involved and provided a cross from which Sanchez could only blaze over, but a clumsy save from Jakupovic allowed Arsenal to strike the first blow in the 17th minute.

Francis Coquelin showed impressive awareness after his initial shot was blocked, playing the ball to Santi Cazorla rather than having another effort. Walcott got away a cross-shot that Jakupovic parried into the path of Iwobi, whose shot went in off Sanchez.

Jakupovic superbly stopped Iwobi and watched Mesut Ozil sky the rebound as Arsenal dominated, with Abel Hernandez.

Arsene Wenger’s side were not left to worry for too long though, Sanchez pouncing on the rebound from Walcott’s shot to hammer in the decisive goal before Granit Xhaka opened his Arsenal account with a thunderous left foot strike from 30 yards to beat Jakupovic in stoppage time.

It Arsenal’s third straight league win for the first time in 2016 and continue the club’s rise to the top of the league table.