Arsenal 2-0 Wolves: Six Talking points

Arsenal 2-0 Wolves Six Talking points
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves Six Talking points

Arsenal beat Wolves 2-0 at Molineux Stadium to hold the seventh place in Premier League table. Both the teams who are contenders for Champions League spots, did not have a change in their respective place in the league table after today’s match.

Arteta finally putting the system in place at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is on his way to rebuild Arsenal, without ignoring its current needs. Arsenal secured its defensive organisation, ensuring two long term contract, and then entrusting David Luiz with a year deal, despite Manchester City mishap.

Arsenal have a pool of young talented players who can serve the club for a long time. They play attractive football, but Arteta instilled discipline and determination in those boys. It took time but seems Arsenal are on the right track.

Arteta made several changes for this match, bring Bukayo Saka at right-wing, starting with Nketiah at the central forward position instead of Lacazette or Nelson and giving Cedric first-team start.

Bukayo Saka – New Contract, New role, the first goal

Arsenal’s new signee Bukayo Saka started at right flank in attacking role, after playing left-back and winger for the initial part of the season.

Saka put his team ahead as Arsenal were facing a daunting task to keep off Wolves. The right-winger scored the first Premier League goal with a measured volley with his left leg and became the second youngest English player for Arsenal to score in the English premier league.

Traore and Wolves played, as usual, pressing football

Wolves played fast and physical football for a significant part of the game barring two brief periods when they conceded.

It started with Adama Traore moving inside the penalty area within striking distance on 20th second of the match, and Arsenal defence tasted first destabilising run within the first ten minutes. He went past three, but his shot ballooned over the post.

Till first forty minuted Wolves forced Arsenal to commit players in defence, apart from an attempt by Nketiah which was thwarted by Rui Patricio. That continued after the break. They moved quickly, sometimes with the long ball.

Arsenal Defence combined well

Arsenal have faced problems in its defensive organisation for some time. Arteta inherited the problem from his predecessors. Manchester City match had been a horror show.

Arsenal fans perhaps started watching this match with prayers for its defence, and those were heard. They were able to withstand Wolves attack led by Traore for a good seventy minutes split into both the halves.

After the break, Wolves kept the pressure on Arsenal with Traore and Raul Jimenez desperate search for an equaliser, but Cedric, Luiz and Martinez combined well to foil Wolves attack.

Martinez playing his part in the absence of Leno

Emiliano Martínez did quite well against his former club, where he played in 2015-16 season. He played a crucial role for Arsenal in the absence of Arsenal’s regular keeper Bernd Leno.

He committed himself on the line of the ball quite a few times and made the angle tougher for the striker.

Lacazette sealing the fate of the match

Lacazette scored his first goal in Premier League after the first week of March. He would be glad to be back on the scoresheet. The French striker took a turn while receiving the ball, and hit it hard and low.