Arsene Wenger delighted with 'big win' as Arsenal stay fourth in Premier League table

Arsene Wenger praised a patient performance from his Arsenal side as they saw off Hull to remain on course for Champions League qualification.

Hull started brightly at the KC Stadium but Aaron Ramsey gave Arsenal a 31st-minute lead and Lukas Podolski's double secured a 3-0 win for Wenger's men.

That ensured they would hold on to fourth place in the Barclays Premier League ahead of Everton and Wenger said: "It was a big win.

"The first half was very physical, played at a very high pace, our defenders needed to be very strong on crosses in the air.

"We looked dangerous when we went into their half and took advantage of that.

"In the second half, when we scored the third goal we controlled the game completely."

Ramsey's goal capped an impressive first league start since Boxing Day for the Welshman, while Wenger was also able to recall Mesut Ozil for his first appearance since March 11 following hamstring trouble.

And the manager said: "We were having problems scoring goals away from home and (Ramsey) and Ozil give us a cutting edge in the final third that makes us much more dangerous.

"Ozil has always the timing of the pass, the incisiveness of his passing helps you turn quickly from defence to offense.

"Football is down to quality of the players and you could see that today."

Opposite number Steve Bruce was encouraged by his side's performance but bemoaned missed opportunities and what he saw as a game-changing decision by referee Jon Moss.

In the build-up to Podolski's first goal just before half-time, City striker Nikica Jelavic went down under Mikel Arteta's challenge inside the Arsenal half.

It looked a foul on first viewing and while replays were less conclusive, Bruce was furious no free-kick was given.

"The first goal, you have to say, it's a typical Arsenal goal," he said. "Sometimes you hold your hand up and say it's a real quality goal.

"But the big turning point in the game, we're talking about a refereeing decision again.

"I think everybody in the ground expected a free-kick to be given, we didn't get it and again, a bit of quality from Arsenal - it's a terrific finish from Podolski - and after playing really well we're 2-0 down at half-time."

The Tigers had chances before that, with strikers Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long both threatening while Tottenham loanee Jake Livermore hit a post.

Bruce said: "We had a real few chances, they really haven't threatened our goal at all for 35 minutes, and then within seven minutes of half-time the game's over.

"(Long's) was one where I don't think he was expecting it to come to him, but we've had two or three. The keeper's made a wonderful save from Jelavic, James Chester's had a chance over the bar, Jake Livermore's hit the post.

"So we've had our opportunities and you hope you can take one. We haven't and as I said, the first goal from Arsenal was a wonderful piece of football and then the second one, the whole game-changer for me, is that decision.

"That's wrong, that I'm talking about a referee's decision."

Long was withdrawn at half-time and Bruce explained: "He's got a whack to the back of his calf. He'll be touch and go for the weekend, I would have thought."

Bruce also revealed forward Sone Aluko's absence from the matchday squad was due to a hamstring injury.

PA