Arsenal cruise past Hull 2-0 at the Emirates thanks to goals from Nicklas Bendtner and Mesut Ozil

IMPERIOUS Arsenal continued on their winning ways as goals from Nicklas Bendtner and Mesut Ozil secured a 2-0 win over Hull.

Mesut Ozil found his goal-scoring touch against Hull.

NICKLAS Bendtner proved Arsenal's unlikely hero as the Dane notched an early strike to set the Barclays Premier League leaders on their way to victory over Hull City.

Bendtner, starting in the league for the first time this season in place of Olivier Giroud, headed in Carl Jenkinson's right wing cross after just two minutes to put the Gunners in front.

It looked like a prelude for convincing home win but the Tigers kept things tight for much of the remainder of the first half.

That all changed within two minutes of the restart when Mesut Ozil ran onto Aaron Ramsey's neat reverse pass to slide the ball in from eight yards.

The visitors threatened rarely as the Gunners cruised through the remainder of the match to retain their top of the table advantage.

After their blistering start, Arsenal - who had made several changes from the team which won at Cardiff last weekend, including starting with England trio Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs on the bench - continued to push Hull back.

Santi Cazorla's goal-bound shot was blocked and Allan McGregor then spilled a low effort from Ozil which Bendtner could not turn in.

The Tigers slowly found some momentum and a centre from Robbie Brady flew across the face of the Arsenal goal.

When the Gunners did press the visitors back, they were guilty of some poor finishing, with the usually accurate Ramsey smashing an effort high into the stands.

German playmaker Ozil was on the scoresheet soon after the restart. Nacho Monreal kept the ball in on the left touchline, and gave it to Ozil. His sliderule pass found Ramsey on the edge of the box, before the Wales international turned away from goal and then played an exquisite reverse ball back into the path of Ozil, who coolly tucked it into the net.

Hull made a double change on 58 minutes. Forward Danny Graham was replaced by George Boyd and Brady came off for Liam Rosenior.

But it proved ineffective as Arsenal continued to rule the tempo of the game.

As the clock ran down, Tigers boss Steve Bruce was involved in a few exchanges with the jubilant Arsenal fans behind the visitors' bench - most of which were taken in good spirits by the former Manchester United defender.