Following their 6-0 demolition of RC Lens midweek, Arsenal’s confidence was as high as ever going into their clash vs Wolves in the Premier League. And although it wasn’t as comprehensive, it was the same result as The Gunners came out with three points.
One change was made from the win over Lens, with Leandro Trossard coming back into the midfield in replace of the in-form Kai Havertz.
Arsenal continued off from their scintillating form from midweek as just seven minutes in the deadlock was broken. Some excellent footwork inside the Wolves penalty area from Gabriel Jesus was used to keep the ball and the Brazilian quickly moved the ball to Takehiro Tomiyasu who himself moved the ball onto Bukayo Saka. There was a slight bit of luck for Saka as the ball bounced off Wolves defender Craig Dawson and straight into the Arsenal man’s path and he made no mistake in front of goal as he struck his effort confidently into the bottom corner.
And this strong start continued as just 7 minutes later, a cross from Saka found Oleksandr Zinchenko on the far end of the penalty areas the Ukrainian played a brilliant one-two pass exchange with Jesus, then the ball was pulled back first time towards Martjn Odegaard who fired his effort into the corner to double the lead and cement a fantastic start for Mikel Arteta’s team where they looked full of confidence and spirit.
And it could have been three going into the break as soon after Wolves no.1 Jose Sa had to leave the field due to a back injury, Daniel Bentley almost had to pick the ball out of his net as a fabulous counter-attack from Arsenal saw Gabriel Martinelli, hit the outside of the post.
Just like the Lens game, a comfortable lead going into half-time saw a change in tempo from the Gunners as they chose to play the second half in a more reserved approach. Although they still had their chances. As Leandro Trossard came close after being played through by Martin Odegaard.
The game continued to play out at a relatively low tempo, with Arsenal retaining the ball and looking pretty comfortable both in and out of possession. However, they may have got too complacent as an error in possession from Zinchenko gifted the ball to Mathias Cunha on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area and the Wolves forward fired a great strike into the corner to half the deficit with Wolves’ first shot on target and set up a nervy final ten minutes for Arsenal in a game which should have been done and dusted long before that.
The Gunners should have put any nerves beyond doubt just minutes later though as yet another superb through ball from Odegaard saw substitute Eddie Nketiah through on goal but the striker’s effort hit the outside of the post and went out. However, Arsenal held firm and got the three points to send them 4 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
An interesting away tie awaits Arsenal next as Mikel Arteta takes his team to Kenilworth Road to play Luton Town for the first time in the Premier League.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 7 – Could do nothing about the goal and did well with his catching of crosses
Takehiro Tomiyasu: 7 – Started again and was again solid both defensively and going forward
William Saliba: 7 – Solid but did pick up his first yellow card of the season
Gabriel: 7 – Solid as usual
Oleksandr Zinchenko: 7 – Was great in the first half but was at fault for the Wolves goal
Declan Rice: 8 – Did so well to break up play and win the ball back for Arsenal on multiple occasions
Leandro Trossard: 6 – Was neat and tidy but struggled to have a proper impact
Martin Odegaard: 8 – The captain was back to his best. Scored and was brilliant with his chance creating (completing 6 key passes)
Bukayo Saka: 8 – Another goal for Arsenal’s Starboy
Gabriel Jesus: 7 – Was involved in both goals and was always involved
Gabriel Martinelli: 7 – Always a threat and was so unlucky not to score