Hull City's 2-2 draw with Ipswich shows a slow start that will be punished by Arsenal
Hull City fought back from a poor first half to draw 2-2 with Ipswich Town at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, but reporter Barry Cooper warns a repeat against Arsenal could turn into a battering. The Tigers changed shape at half-time to 4-3-3 and led 2-1 before conceding a late equaliser.
- Match: Hull City 2-2 Ipswich Town
- Venue: MKM Stadium
- Goals: Tim Iroegbunam and Oli McBurnie for Hull; Julio Enciso for Ipswich
- Next fixture: Arsenal away
- Context: Fifth draw of the campaign; unbeaten at home
What was said
"City were woeful in the first half, summed up perfectly by goalscorer Oli McBurnie, who labelled it sh*t in his post-match social media summary."
"If they start as badly as that, and give Arsenal that amount of time, space and freedom, they'll be on the wrong end of a battering."
"The fact that Sorba Thomas didn't make the squad, along with the likes of Lucas Gourna-Douath and fit again Jack Butland, shows just how strong the Tigers' squad is now."
"Jakirovic said in the build-up to the game that he's got 27 fit players, and he can't name them all in the matchday squad."
These quotes highlight the central theme of Hull's season: a talented squad that is still learning to manage games. The first-half display was passive and negative, allowing Ipswich to dictate play. The second-half switch to 4-3-3 enabled City to push 20 yards higher up the pitch and engage McBurnie, resulting in a deserved lead. However, the failure to hold on for a second home win in a row is a recurring issue, with three consecutive MKM Stadium games where they have been in front but not won.
The numbers
- 2 – goals scored by Hull City (Iroegbunam and McBurnie)
- 2 – goals conceded (including Julio Enciso's strike)
- 3 – consecutive home games where Hull have been in front but failed to win
- 5 – draws this campaign
- 27 – fit players available according to the manager
- 4-3-3 – the half-time formation change that turned the game
Injury and availability
- Jack Butland: fit again, but did not make the matchday squad
- Sorba Thomas: not included in the squad
- Lucas Gourna-Douath: not included in the squad
Manager Jakirovic has 27 fit players to choose from, which means some senior names are left out. Charlie Hughes and Ilias Ansah are also on the horizon, suggesting further competition for places.
Why Hull's slow starts are a warning Arsenal will exploit
Hull City's first-half performance against Ipswich was symptomatic of a wider issue in their opening Premier League campaign. Against Fulham, they were similarly passive, and the pattern repeated itself on Saturday. The manager's decision to switch to 4-3-3 at half-time worked, allowing Tim Iroegbunam and Oli McBurnie to influence the game higher up the pitch. McBurnie's free-kick was a moment of quality, but the problem is that Hull needed a half-time reset to find that intensity.
Arsenal, even on the road, have the quality to punish teams that afford them time and space. The Gunners have had a couple of wobbles this season, at Brighton and Fleetwood, but they remain the champions for a reason. If Hull start as passively as they did against Ipswich, they will be overrun. The 3-5-2 system has served City well, but flexibility is key, and the 4-3-3 might be used more often, especially at home. The challenge for Jakirovic is to ensure his players start with the same aggression they showed after the break, rather than waiting for a tactical tweak to spark them.
Talking points
- Should Jakirovic abandon the 3-5-2 and start with the 4-3-3 that transformed the second half against Ipswich?
- Is Oli McBurnie's honesty about the first-half display a sign of strong leadership or a distraction?
- Can Hull City really go to Arsenal and get a result if they start slowly, or will they be punished?
- With 27 fit players, is it fair that Sorba Thomas and Lucas Gourna-Douath are left out of the squad?
What happens next
Hull City travel to Arsenal for their next Premier League fixture. The game represents the Tigers' biggest test yet, and Jakirovic will demand a fast start to avoid an early deficit. With the squad depth available, he has options to freshen up the line-up, but the focus will be on replicating the second-half intensity from the outset. A positive result would be a statement; a slow start could be costly.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in Hull City vs Ipswich?
Hull City drew 2-2 with Ipswich Town at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.
Who scored Hull City's goals against Ipswich?
Tim Iroegbunam and Oli McBurnie scored for Hull City, with Julio Enciso scoring for Ipswich.
Why is Hull City's slow start a concern for the Arsenal game?
Hull were passive in the first half against Ipswich, and reporter Barry Cooper warns that a similar display against Arsenal could result in a heavy defeat.
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