Arsenal 2-1 Hull

Two of Arsenal's most maligned players defied their detractors to produce decisive contributions to keep the Gunners' hopes of domestic glory on track - a fact that is in danger of being lost amid the post-match furore.

Both Nicklas Bendtner and William Gallas have endured their fair share of criticism for very different reasons but last night the former inspired a comeback sealed by the latter's late, if palpably offside, winning goal.

Bendtner is often dismissed as a footballing Neanderthal at odds with Arsenal's complex interplay but his principal worth is providing an option to play in a more direct style against a side that packs its defence, as the Tigers did after taking the lead through Nick Barmby's deflected 13th-minute opener.

Carlos Vela and Robin van Persie are both hugely talented strikers but remain weak in the air in comparison to the Dane, who within 19 minutes of coming off the bench had played a key role in both goals as Arsenal turned Hull's penalty area into the Alamo.

Gallas's character was severely questioned in the wake of November's verbal blast at his team-mates - the fatal blow to his captaincy - but an admirable willingness to concentrate on his own game while keeping a low profile has culminated in his first goal of 2009.

"I am so happy for William because he has been fantastic," said winger Theo Walcott. "He's put his head down and worked really hard.

"He's still talking to all the lads and he is probably playing the best football I have ever seen him play. In training he always wants to win. He is a brilliant character to be around - you need those in the dressing room."

Eight bookings - six for the visitors - would suggest this was a dirty game but the rap sheet can be explained in part by the pressure of an agitated crowd and a somewhat clumsy refereeing performance from Mike Riley.

Hull had their chances to move further ahead with Geovanni firing into orbit when well-placed 25 yards out before dispatching a free-kick that forced a decent stop from Lukasz Fabianski, while Kamil Zayette headed onto the roof of the net.

But time-wasting as early as the half-hour mark prompted repeatedly irate exchanges between Arsene Wenger and Hull assistant boss Brian Horton which increased tensions among supporters, particularly behind the dugouts.

The cumulative effect was a spate of second-half bookings including a 62nd-minute yellow card for goalkeeper Boaz Myhill. Van Persie equalised 12 minutes later after persistence from Bendtner was matched by composure from Andrey Arshavin, who squared for the Dutchman to score.

"The stadium was beginning to win," said Hull boss Phil Brown. "Arsene Wenger got my goalkeeper booked. You call that good management? He was complaining about time-wasting. Our gameplan was working until our goalkeeper got booked."

Sure enough, substitute Samir Nasri, who deserves a special mention for providing vision only equalled by the ever-threatening Arshavin, fired in a free-kick that Bendtner got his head to before Myhill, leaving Gallas to nod home.

The fact that he was offside was particularly galling for Brown on the grounds of consistency, given Barmby had a second ruled out, rightly, for offside in the first half.

"When you come to the Emirates I understand that you are not going to get the rub of the green," he said. "You are not going to get the bounce of the ball or too much possession. I concede all of them. But asking an official to make a decision, when he does in the first half but doesn't in the second half."

A clearly angered Brown then turned his ire on Wenger, and his perceived snub in the handshake stakes.

"Arsene never shakes my hand. It's normally etiquette, maybe he was a bit sore at us last time beating them here last time, but he got his revenge at the KC Stadium."

Wenger, who denied Gallas's winner was offside by claiming Myhill and not Bendtner touched the ball on, also played down the lack of a handshake between the managers at the final whistle - and ignored the untrue accusation that he had snubbed Brown in September.

"I went after the game to shake his hand but there was nobody there," he said. "He didn't turn up so I went into the dressing room. I would shake his hand now, why not? Why should I wait."

This was another hurdle overcome as Arsenal look to repair the early season damage. With Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor, Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky set to return soon, a Wembley semi against Chelsea should hold no fear.

"Big names are coming back which scares other teams," added Walcott. "They will be back soon and we can push for the Champions League spots and some trophies. Hopefully our luck is starting to turn."