Craig Eastmond has been appointed Arsenal Reserves captain for the remainder of the season, after preceding Luke Ayling who has joinedYeovil on loan today.

The 19-year-old defensive midfielder – who recently signed a new long-term contract extension with the Gunners in January – will start his role as captain tonight against Wolves.

In other news, our good friends over at Arsenal Gifts have got some great gear for sale at superb prices. Check out the new site when you have a spare moment!

Thanks to Clarkey101 for this gem!

If Arsenal beat West Ham, it will be six wins in a row, equalling the longest run by any team in the Premier League this season.

Arsenal have only won one and lost two of the last four home matches against the Hammers.

Andrey Arshavin’s goal against Hull last Saturday was the 800th scored in the Premier League this season.

Arsenal have won their last five Premier League games in a row, the last time they achieved six on the trot was in Autumn of 2007.

So far this season, Alex Song’s completed passes percentage is 84% – and so is his tackle success.

With thanks to Orbinho & OptaJoe for the stats.

Don’t forget to Follow us on Twitter @GoonerTalk for all the news that doesn’t make the blog!

Arsenal defender Sol Campbell is completely focused on the Gunners upcoming matches in the Premier League — and vows to keep fighting for the title until the last game.

The 35-year-old centre half – who gave away a penalty at Hull on Saturday – expects a tough run-in during the coming months, but also remains adamant that the league is still wide open.

“We kept fighting and got the win in the end, and we do not care as long as the win comes,” Campbell told Arsenal TV Online.

“It is never easy, you have to win and earn your rights, you have to play good football – nobody is just going to give you three points in this league, no chance.

“We just have to keep focused, picking up the wins and stay in there.”

Staying with Campbell, he has agreed to end a £1.5m court case against Portsmouth until they have enough money to pay the former England international.

Crisis club Pompey owe Campbell £1.67m plus £50,000 in interest payments, which includes unpaid wages and image rights.

A compromise was agreed earlier today.

An injury time goal by Nicklas Bendtner gave Arsenal a hard fought 2-1 over Hull in the Premier League evening game.

The result ensures Arsenal stay very much in the title picture whilst Hull remain in the relegation zone as an early goal by Arshavin, an equaliser by Bullard and a sending off for Boateng all proceeded the dramatic winner by the Danish striker.

Arsenal’s Starting XI

Almunia
Sagna – Campbell – Vermaelen – Clichy
Diaby – Denilson – Nasri
Eboue – Bendtner – Arshavin

In a bad tempered game it was Arsenal who took an early lead. A slick move involving ten short Arsenal one touch passes eventually found its way to Andrey Arshavin who managed to bundle his way past two defenders and poke the ball past Boaz Myhill.

The goal rewarded the away side for their bright start, and they continued in much the same way after the goal. Hull struggled to gain any possession and were often left chasing shadows before being thrown a lifeline.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink broke clear of the defence and found himself in the area. Sol Campbell attempted to get back at the attacker but his clumsy effort only served to bring the striker down for a penalty. Campbell escaped further punishment even though he was the last man.

Jimmy Bullard stepped up to take the penalty and rifled it past Almunia to turn the game on its head.

Arsenal were the next to threaten but Arsahvin blazed over when well placed before Hull midfielder George Boateng pushed the self destruct button.

The experienced enforcer had already clashed with Nicklas Bendtner off the ball where it appeared that the Dutch international had struck the forward, before receiving his marching orders for an over the ball challenge on Bacary Sagna.

At this point Boateng was lucky to still be on the pitch when a 50-50 challenge with Sagna resulted in a potential leg breaker for the right back and a red card for the Hull player. There were no complaints from any Hull player as Boateng left the field in disgrace.

The one man advantage for the away side didn’t initially seem apparent as Hull continued where they had left off. Bullard had an effort outside the area which flew over the bar at the start of the second half as Arsenal tried to regain their impetus.

The introduction of Theo Walcott helped in this aspect and it was his pace that almost managed to get a goal for Arsenal. The speedster managed to cut the ball across the area to the waiting Arshavin just outside the six yard box but to everyone’s disbelief he shot high and wide.

The pressure continued to mount on the Hull goal heading into the final fifteen minutes. Bendtner found himself with two opportunities, the first found him hooking over the bar and the second was blocked by a last ditch challenge.

With 90 minutes up the board for injury time showed 6 minutes to the despair of all those in the home corner. Two minutes into the added time Arsenal grabbed their crucial winner. Denilson shot from outside the area was parried poorly by Myhill straight to the waiting Bendtner who placed the ball past the hapless keeper and secure a vital three points.

With Cesc Fabregas ruled out and Tomas Rosicky a doubt, Arsenal could be extremely short in midfield for Saturday’s vital Premier League match against Hull.

It looked like the Gunners would face a similar situation in defence as well, but Arsene Wenger revealed in his pre-match press conference that Sol Campbell’s groin injury is not as bad as first feared.

“We have a little doubt about Rosicky, but we will check that tomorrow morning,” said Wenger. “Nobody else is back, but we will lose Alex Song, because he is suspended.

“Everyone else has recovered quite well from Tuesday night. Campbell looks better than expected today. Sagna has an ankle problem but we will assess that tomorrow.

“We will see how it develops and who is available, who I can play. We know we have 48 hours to prepare for this game and it is quite needed.

“But [Fabregas'] chances of playing are 0.5 per cent – that means unless a miracle happens, he will not play. At the moment, he is out of Saturday’s game.”

Gooner Talk’s Predicted XI against Hull

Almunia
Eboue – Campbell – Vermaelen – Clichy
Diaby – Denilson – Nasri
Walcott – Bendtner – Arshavin

Tell us what team you would play against Hull in the comments section below!