Arsenal host Hull City at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon (3pm kick-off) hoping to get back to winning ways after a tricky few weeks in the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger’s side went down 2-1 at home to Watford 11 days ago before succumbing to leaders Chelsea last weekend, two results which have all but ended their title challenge this season.

However, they will now turn their attentions to securing a 21st consecutive top four finish in the league, starting with a home clash against relegation-threatened Hull this afternoon.

Yet, the Tigers have been re-energised under new boss Marco Silva in 2017, with the Portuguese having won two of his four Premier League matches, as well as giving Chelsea a tough game at Stamford Bridge a few weeks ago.

Nonetheless, Wenger’s men will be confident of getting back to winning ways this afternoon and, being the early game, could put a fair bit of pressure on the sides around them with victory.

Thus, here are THREE reasons why Arsenal will pick up the three points this afternoon…

Decent record vs lesser sides

Arsenal are usually very strong against the so-called lesser sides, especially at the Emirates.

Before their surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Watford last week, the Gunners had dropped just two points at home to sides outside of the top six, with Middlesbrough picking up a very credible 0-0 draw in North London back in October.

Other than that though, Arsenal have been excellent, winning seven of their nine games against the sides outside of the top six, scoring 17 goals and conceding only eight.

Thus, you’d expect the Gunners to maintain that good record against 18th place Hull this afternoon.

Elneny set to return

Wenger had to play Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain alongside Francis Coquelin against Chelsea and, although the England international probably outdid his French teammate, they both struggled against N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic.

And, with Granit Xhaka suspended for two more matches and Santi Cazorla out until March, Arsenal are very depleted in that area.

However, Gunners fans will be delighted that Mohamed Elneny has returned from the African Cup of Nations this week, and looks set to start against an improving Hull side under Silva.

The Egyptian helped inspire his nation to the final of the competition last month with some impressive performances, and now Arsenal require him to maintain and indeed surpass that level over the next few weeks.

Elneny will become the senior man in that midfield in the next few weeks, and the supporters will hope that can he build upon a solid start to life at the Emirates with some more good displays, starting against Hull this afternoon.

Need a response ahead of big week

Two successive Premier League defeats has all but ended Arsenal’s title chances this season, with the last week dominated by talk about Wenger’s future at the club.

However, attentions need to turn to on-the-field matters now as the Gunners face a hugely significant week, as their clash with Hull today is the first of three games in nine days which could make or break their season.

Victory over the Tigers would consolidate their position in the top four, but also give them important momentum going into their Champions League tie at Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.

They then travel to National League side Sutton United in the FA Cup the following Monday as the Gunners look to win a record-breaking 13th title.

Three wins and things will certainly look a lot brighter around the Emirates, and probably end speculation about Wenger’s future, but failing to beat Hull today and then losing at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday would put an enormous amount of pressure on the side to win at Sutton.

It’s a week that could define their season, and it could even determine Wenger’s future as manager.