A superb volley from substitute Riccardo Calafiori gave Arsenal a hard fought win after Myles Lewis-Skelly was controversially sent off in the first half.
Martin Odegaard was confirmed ill on the morning of the game and was unvaiable. However, there was better news for Arsenal when the team news was released, as William Saliba returned to the starting XI at the heart of the Gunners defence. Ethan Nwaneri also returned, taking Odegaard’s place on the right of midfield. Both he and Lewis-Skelly starting together for the first time for the Arsenal first team.
Like many of Arsenal’s games this season, it started off slowly at Molineux. The home side would have the best chance if the early stages as a volley from Pablo Sarabia was smashed over David Raya’s goal. Arsenal would have a big chance of their own soon after, as a cross from Leandro Trossard found the head of Kai Havertz who found space ahead of the Wolves centre-backs however the German was denied by the feet of Wolves keeper Jose Sa.
Despite the first half being a fairly low-key affair, it was suddenly blown into life towards the end as for the fourth time this season, an Arsenal player saw red. Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Matt Docherty in what looked an incredibly harsh decision and another red card given to Arsenal by Michael Oliver.
In response, Riccardo Calafiori was brought on at half-time by Arteta, and with 75 minutes played, the Italian came up with the big moment for Arsenal, reacting to a deflected cross by Gabriel Martinelli and striking a brilliant first-time half volley into the bottom corner to give Arsenal the lead.
Raya was called into action to make a big save in the closing stages to preserve the lead, a long ball from Sa went over the Arsenal defence and saw Rayan Ait-Nouri through, however the Spanish stopper pulled out a hand to stop the shot.
The Gunners held firm to claim the three points, the win clearly meant a lot to the Arsenal players and staff who celebrated with the away end at full-time, with many on the ground in a heap after working so hard for the win which was very much deserved in the end.
Another big week awaits, starting with the final game of the UEFA Champions League-league phase with an away trip to Spain to face Girona.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 7
Jurrien Timber: 8
William Saliba: 8
Gabriel: 8
Myles Lewis-Skelly: 6
Thomas Partey: 8
Declan Rice: 7
Ethan Nwaneri: 5
Gabriel Martinelli: 6
Kai Havertz: 6
Leandro Trossard: 6
Riccardo Calafiori: 8