After three games without a win, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal returned to winning ways with a huge 0-2 win away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening.
Three changes were made from the side that was dumped out of the UEFA Champions League in Munich on Wednesday night. Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Gabriel Jesus came into the side, with Kai Havertz pushed back into the midfield. Kiwior started at left-back with Takehiro Tomiyasu out as a precautio following a knock, Jesus led the line with Trossard and Bukayo Saka either side of him in the front line.
Arsenal wasted no time in showing their intent in the early stages, with a volley from Havertz forcing Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa into the game’s first save within 40 seconds, although it was a tame effort. More shots would follow for Arsenal in the opening 15 minutes of the match, although Sa wasn’t properly tested with the efforts mainly dragging wide of the Portuguese stopper’s posts. In fact, it would be the home side who would have the best chance in the first half an hour, with Joao Gomes firing an effort from close range at David Raya’s near post, but the Spaniard reacted brilliantly to force the strike onto the post. However, right at the end of the first half Jesus brought down a ball from Havertz in the box, the ball then fell into the path of Trossard who’s strike flew into the far top corner to give Arsenal the lead. A much needed goal and the spark which a somewhat lacklustre performance needed.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with a Havertz volley being comfotbaly saved by Jose Sa in the opening minutes since the restart. However, Arsenal looked more fluid and asserted more control over their opponents as they dominated the opening stages of the second period with Wolves unable to get out of their own half.
Although, despite their dominance, the Wolves goalkeeper wasn’t particualr forced into many saves with most of Arsenal’s shots again went wide of their opponents goal. Rice fired wide from distance and Saka came close after a surging run but smashed his shot over. Wolves meanwhile despite spending most of the second half camped out in their defensive third, remained a threat on the break but David Raya had little to do. However, the Arsenal keeper was forced into action when claiming crosses which he did well.
As six minutes of added time were called, Arsenal did need a second goal to wrap things up and destroy any fears of a sudden late equaliser, and that’s exactly what Mikel Arteta’s side got in the 95th minute as Martin Odegaard finished well at Sa’s near post after his initial effort was blocked. The goal sealed a mightily important three points as Arsenal returned to the top of the table and claimed another away clean sheet in the process.
It’s only two days rest again for Arsenal as Chelsea visit Emirates Stadium for a huge London derby on Tuesday.
Player Ratings:
David Raya: 8 – Made a brilliant save in the first half, dealt with everything he had to do well and got another clean sheet
Ben White: 7 – Quietly solid
Gabriel: 6 – Ok throughout, never really challenged
Saliba: 7 – Never fazed by the Wolves attack
Jakub Kiwior: 6 – Struggled first half but improved after the break
Declan Rice: 8 – Brilliant all evening but particularly second half where his energy and ball-winning were key to Arsenal seeing the game out
Martin Odegaard: 7 – Looked tired but never stopped running and got a big goal at the end to seal the win
Kai Havertz: 7 – Put in a real shift off the ball and kept things moving on it. Very positive showing from the German
Bukayo Saka: 7 – Struggled in recent weeks but improved this time
Gabriel Jesus: 6 – Like Kiwior, had a poor first half but improved as the second went on
Leandro Trossard: 7 – Scored a great goal to open the scoring