Arsenal struck twice late on to see off battling Hull and keep pace with the Premier League top four.

Hull had looked set to frustrate the Gunners for the second time this season when Daniel Cousin cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor's first-half opener after 65 minutes.

But the KC Stadium visitors produced a strong finish and snatched victory with goals in the final nine minutes from Samir Nasri and substitute Nicklas Bendtner.

It was the perfect response from the Gunners after wins earlier in the day from Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa.

It also extended their unbeaten run to eight games and avenged their shock loss to Hull at the Emirates Stadium in September, when Cousin had been the match-winner.

Those heady days seem a long time ago now for Hull, who despite their encouraging display, have now lost their last five league outings.

Adebayor's goal, only his third in nine games, initially seemed to justify his inclusion in an unchanged Arsenal side ahead of Bendtner, the match-winning substitute against Bolton last week.

Hull fielded an unfamiliar line-up. After playing an under-strength side in the midweek FA Cup win at Newcastle, six changes were not unexpected but Ryan France and Peter Halmosi surprisingly retained their places.

There was a debut for new signing Kevin Kilbane at left-back while Friday's loan recruit from Manchester United, Manucho, was on the bench.

France's unexpected start, after spending most of the campaign in the reserves, meant he became the fourth Hull player to play in all four divisions for the club.

Geovanni, scorer of Hull's first goal at the Emirates, had the game's first chance after two minutes.

The Brazilian confused the Arsenal defence with a late run while two other Hull players stood in offside positions but he scuffed his shot.

A chance opened up for Nathan Doyle moments later but the right-back shot straight at Manuel Almunia from distance.

Arsenal's first opportunity came from a free-kick and Robin van Persie almost got lucky as his firm effort was deflected narrowly wide by Michael Turner.

The visitors were almost caught after Geovanni sparked a counter-attack but Cousin's cross was blocked and his follow-up shot went well wide.

Geovanni also curled in a dangerous-looking free-kick from out wide but Almunia safely gathered and another set-piece moments later was shot into the wall.

Boaz Myhill produced a brilliant double save to deny Arsenal the lead after 28 minutes following the award of a dubious free-kick for a foul on Emmanuel Eboue.

The goalkeeper just did enough to tip Van Persie's fierce shot onto the bar and then recovered to block from Johan Djourou as the defender pounced on the rebound.

Yet Hull could not hold out much longer and fell behind as Adebayor headed home a Van Persie corner at the far post a minute later.

Van Persie muscled into the area early in the second half but was penalised for a foul on Sam Ricketts.

Adebayor then beat Turner to create space for a shot but Myhill punched clear.

Hull made their first change after 53 minutes when the ineffective Halmosi was replaced by new striker Manucho and the formation switched from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2.

Manucho's first taste of the action left him with a facial wound after clashing heads with Djourou contesting a bouncing ball in the area. Hull appealed for a penalty but referee Alan Wiley was uninterested.

Hull snatched an equaliser when Cousin headed firmly past Almunia after Bernard Mendy's cross took a slight deflection off Gael Clichy.

Mendy caused more problems moments later and won a free-kick on the right but Arsenal escaped further damage.

Clichy was then booked for a foul on Mendy as the Hull winger, clearly inspired by his role in the goal, continued to cause havoc on the right.

Hull had the bit between their teeth and enjoyed a good spell but Arsenal still threatened in possession and Abou Diaby fired a good chance wide.

Myhill then saved again after Bendtner, introduced in the 68th minute, worked his way into the box and fired across goal.

Hull were exposed again after 81 minutes as Van Persie's pass found Nasri in space and the Frenchman shot left-footed across Myhill to restore Arsenal's lead.

The Gunners then ended the game five minutes from time as Bendtner played a one-two with an apparently offside Van Persie and finished clinically.

Arsenal almost added a flattering fourth when Bendtner struck the post late on.

Teams:

Hull Myhill, Doyle, Turner, Ricketts, Kilbane, Mendy, France (Fagan 83), Ashbee, Halmosi (Manucho 53), Geovanni (Garcia 87), Cousin.

Subs Not Used: Duke, Dawson, Folan, Giannakopoulos.

Booked: Ashbee.

Goals: Cousin 65.

Arsenal Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Eboue (Bendtner 69), Diaby, Denilson, Nasri, Adebayor (Song Billong 87), Van Persie.

Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Gibbs, Merida.

Booked: Clichy.

Goals: Adebayor 30, Nasri 82, Bendtner 86.

Att: 24,924

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).