Wolves 0 Arsenal 2
The Gunners travelled to Molineux looking to put a ‘week from hell’ behind them as they aimed to get back to winning ways and get their title race back on track. An injury-ravaged Wolves were having to shuffle the pack for the arrival of Mikel Arteta’s side.
Gary O’Neil was having to deal with the loss of Matheus Cunha for the game due to a calf injury. It left a gaping hole in attack for the hosts. The visitors made three changes from the side that was dumped out of the Champions League in Munich.
Arsenal created the first glimpse of goal as the ball was worked to Rice just outside the box. The midfielder hit a first time shot narrowly wide of the far post but Jose Sa had it covered all the way. In the early stages, it seemed Wolves’ tactics were taking inspiration from Unai Emery.
The hosts struggled to get out of their own half early on in the game but a rare attack forward saw Joao Gomes rob Kiwior of the ball and stride into the box. He managed to get a shot away from a tight angle but it was tipped onto the post by Raya in the Arsenal goal.
Credit: @premierleague
As the ball struck the woodwork and came back into the penalty area, The Gunners’ defence reacted quickest to hack the ball clear. It was an early warning for Arteta’s side that this Wolves team still had the ability to cause them problems at the back.
Things got a little feisty as Kilman put in a heavy challenge on Havertz. Play continued and with the hosts on the front foot, Rice repaid the favour with a similar challenge. Both players were then shown yellow cards for their respective tackles.
A loose clearance from Saliba, straight to Bueno on the edge of the box, gave O’Neil’s side another chance but the midfielder dragged his shot well wide of the goal. It is a wonder how this Arsenal defence has such a good record this season as they look all over the shop at times.
Havertz then lifted a cross into the box towards Jesus. He went down under the challenge of the defender but got straight back to his feet and tried to wriggle free. The ball ran into the path of Trossard, who cut across the ball to score, with his shot clipping the inside of the post on its way in.
In the final minute of the first half, The Gunners had struck. Jose Sa had been questioned very little by the Arsenal attack up until this point but the hosts found themselves behind. It was a massive goal for Arteta’s side in their pursuit of Man City.
Early in the second half, Traore was penalised for a foul on the edge of the box. Rice played a one-two with Odegaard before trying to get a shot off but it was easily blocked. As the visitors looked to recycle the ball White headed the ball into the box.
Credit: @Arsenal
Havertz spun and shot in one movement but his effort was straight at Jose Sa. He connected well enough with it but had it been either side of the keeper, The Gunners would have likely doubled their lead. Fine margins for the North Londoners.
O’Neil made some changes and brought Lemina on. He immediately started causing problems for the visitors. Receiving the ball in a wide position, he cut into the box on his left foot and looked to test Raya but his shot was straight at the keeper.
Wolves huffed and puffed but struggled to create any clear-cut chances. Arsenal came down the other end and Saka went on a mazy run into the box. It was a great piece of skill by the winger but the only thing lacking was the finish as he blazed a right footed shot into the stands.
Rice continued making lung-bursting runs into added time at the end of the game. He laid the ball into the path of Martinelli who tried to score from a tight angle but was denied by a brilliant one-handed save by Jose Sa.
Then came the killer blow as Rice and Havertz combined to find Odegaard. The Norwegian tried to cross into the box but his effort was blocked. It came back to the midfielder and he slotted home from an impossible angle on the byline to ensure Arsenal’s win.
As a result of the victory, Mikel Arteta’s side returned to the top of the table. It was a morale-boosting win for The Gunners. Wolves made themselves difficult to beat despite having a number of first-team players out injured.
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