Arsenal well and truly got away with one tonight and although the manner of the win makes that a big three points, there are worrying signs appearing in this team that are really, really concerning.
Arsenal went into the match with the football world expecting a completely one sided game against a hapless relegation fodder team and to be honest even I was expecting a comfortable win (I think I went 4-0 in my prediction). However, what transpired at The Emirates did not fit that pattern at all as Wolves were extremely resolute and surprisingly well organised for the league’s worse defence.
The first half was almost entirely forgettable as Arsenal didn’t register a single shot on target and only really had Martinelli’s headed chance from a set piece to get excited about. At the other end Hwang Hee-chan threatened to really upset the odds after he raced clear from another Arsenal set piece, but the Arsenal defence got back well (especially Jurrien Timber) and in the end David Raya made a relatively comfortable save.
I half expected to see Mikel Arteta ring the changes at half time again, as Arsenal looked really flat and pedestrian in the first period however, he left the team as is and there was a noticeable improvement in the second half. Certainly a lot more tempo and urgency, which was certainly welcome. It wasn’t quite enough for Mikel Arteta as he rang the changes early anyway with Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard all entering the fray around 58 minutes with Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli making way. It felt particularly harsh on Gabriel Martinelli who had just had the best Arsenal chance of the game so far, only to see the ball slide just side, only seconds earlier. Arsenal were now enjoying sustained periods of pressure, without really testing Sam Johnstone in the Wolves goal with any regularity with The Emirates faithful really trying to rally a response out of their team with some great support.
Arsenal finally made the breakthrough and it was back to type for the Gunners as set pieces came to the rescue once again, albeit with a big slice of luck this time. Bukayo Saka swung in what seemed to be more of a shot than a cross, from his right wing corner, and Johnstone managed to tip the ball onto the post, only to see the ball bounce back off him and into the net for one of the strangest goals of the season.
Not that I cared too much about that, as it was a massive relief. It did however, feel like Arsenal needed to push on and get the second goal and for the next 10 minutes or so, I think they really did try to finish this one off. When the game approached the 80th minute with the score at only 1-0, Wolves saw an opportunity and starting applying a bit of pressure and in my opinion, they got a deserved equaliser in the last minute of the 90 to put a massive dent in Arsenal’s title bid. I would say it was probably more that Arsenal deserved to let a goal in, for allowing the game to drift into such a dangerous game state, rather than Wolves deserving a point from the game, but it was the same thing so what’s the difference!!
At that point, Arsenal’s season looked to be in tatters (a bit dramatic but that’s how I was feeling!) until lady luck played another hand and dealt Arsenal another ace to get us out of trouble. Bukayo Saka put in a peach of a cross that Gabriel Jesus seemed to head home in the 94th minute to rescue the points for Arsenal, only to see that it was actually another own goal. This latest offering from the unlucky defender Mosquera, who headed past Johnstone while under pressure from Jesus.
Thankfully, the drama ended there, as I’d had quite enough of that for one evening, and Arsenal held on to take all three points in what must have been a hammer blow to their title rivals. However, much, much, much better performances are going to be needed if Arsenal are going to remain in the race though, as this was just not good enough on any level.
David Raya – 7
Made a couple of routine saves and could do nothing about the goal. Pretty much a spectator apart from that. Swept up well from balls in behind and passed it well all night so he’s earnt his 7.
Ben White – 6
Didn’t have chance to get involved too much before going off with what looked like a hamstring injury. A real shame as he had looked back to the Ben White of old in the past few matches and will likely be out until the New Year if it is a hamstring pull. Had a few dangerous moments on the overlap before his withdrawal.
William Saliba – 8
So good to have him back. Effortlessly class all evening. Swept up everything with ease and did his best to push Arsenal forward when the tempo was dropping. A real leader out there and a welcome return.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Was a surprise to see him start at centre back again and to be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of him playing there. That said, I thought he did okay for the most part, but definitely improved when he moved to right back. A few brilliant overlapping runs, lead to equally dangerous crosses coming in. Also played a big part in making Hwan’s chance a lot harder than it might have been, as he raced over half the length of the pitch to close down the angle and apply some pressure.
Piero Hincapie – 5
Probably his worst game in an Arsenal shirt so far for me. I was quite interested to see him at left back when we signed him as I’d heard about his pace and crossing from wide areas, but he didn’t look comfortable out there to me at all. Moving back to his usual centre back position and made some good interceptions, but another slip (similar to the one at Villa last week) opened up a great chance for Wolves that Hincapie actually did well to block, as he recovered well. Was then caught out on the Wolves goal as he was caught the wrong side of Arokodare. Goes down far too easy for my liking as well.
Martin Zubimendi – 6
Really surprised to see him start for what feels like the 50th game in a row!! Was neat and tidy in possession for the most part although he tried to force the issue a few times leading to overhit passes going straight out of play. He wasn’t the only one, but I feel like we need a bit more from players like Zubimendi, especially in terms of tempo, when we are faced with a frustrating gameplan that Wolves set out. Didn’t move the ball quick enough and wasn’t able to create much of anything against a well organised Wolves defence. Subbed before the 60 minute mark again. Maybe this just isn’t his sort of game?
Declan Rice – 7
Showed more thrust and drive than most of his teammates as he tried to push Arsenal forward. Set pieces were surprisingly hit and miss today as a few corners failed to clear the first man. Despite the odd stinker, most of our best chances did come from his corners and he also forced a really good save out of Johnstone from the edge of the box. Moved back to the number 6 position for the final 30 minutes and swept up well.
Eberechi Eze – 5
Probably seems like a harsh rating whereas he’s actually probably quite lucky it isn’t any lower. Completely anonymous in the first half. Didn’t create any moments of danger or uncertainty and basically let the whole half pass him by. Things didn’t improve after half time and he was promptly substituted before 60 minutes. Eze got 15 minutes more against Wolves than he did against Villa but his performances in both left a lot to be desired. I thought this was the sort of game where Eze would make the difference for us and one of the main reasons why we brought him in. Nothing could have been further than the truth tonight.
Bukayo Saka – 9 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Was back to his scintillating best tonight. Linked up well with Odegaard and White early on and anything of note from an Arsenal attacking perspective came from Saka. Beat his man on the inside, beat him on the outside, threaded a couple of lovely balls through, kept the ball well and made the two goals, even though he won’t get an assist for either. Our best attacker on the night be a country mile.
Viktor Gyokeres – 6
Another worrying performance in the first half as he touched the ball just 5 times and frustratingly failed to hold it up on a couple of occasions. I do think too much is made of touch maps from central strikers though as it does depend on service a lot. I thought he improved massively after half time. Everything improved. His work rate, his link up play, his runs in behind. Everything seemed that bit sharper and hungrier. Really nice moment where he kept the ball well and The Emirates responded to his endeavour and effort by giving him a really big cheer. I thought he was a little unlucky to be withdrawn and I thought we looked worse after he left the pitch.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
Another player who was probably a little unlucky to be withdrawn when he was. Had just beaten Doherty for the first time all evening before being subbed off for Trossard. Huffed and puffed without much end product tonight and he was one of many in the first half who had little or no impact on the game. I do think a lot of that was down to a massive chunk of the play going down the right wing though, as Saka was having a lot of joy down the Wolves left. Has definitely played worse for us so I think a 6 is about right.
Subs:
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7 – Best performance of the season. Linked well going forward without really carving open the Wolves defence, but it was defensively where I think he shone, as he shut down the threat on his side on a couple of occasions and made one really important block. I think he should have actually started this one, especially given the game state.
Mikel Merino – 5 – All of a sudden, he looks off the pace playing in midfield. I get the idea of bringing him on, as in effect, you’re adding another attacker/threat in the box without actually comprising on the team structure. However, when the game gets stretched like it did around the 70-80 minute mark, he just looks so slow and cumbersome. I like the guy, but he has zero recovery pace. I really think I could give him a run for his money over 100m and that is really, really worrying!
Leandro Trossard – 6 – Played a couple of lovely balls in the channel down the left hand side and looked to make things happen during his 20 minutes or so on the pitch. A bit greedy on a couple of occasions as he went for goal with others well placed. Still looks to be our strongest option out there on the left so I expect him to return to the starting 11 next week.
Martin Odegaard – 5 – Just can’t seem to rediscover that ability to unlock defences right now. Some nice link up play, a few nearly moments and his work rate was first rate again. Probably deserves to start over Eze in my opinion, but neither of them are setting the world alight right now.
Gabriel Jesus – 5 – Loved his cameo in the week, not much of a fan of what I saw today. Didn’t seem to want to press or run too much. Maybe that was down to instructions rather than lack of effort, but I think there was a recognisable drop off when Gyokeres was brought of in place of Jesus. Did a very Jesus thing late on as he slalomed through a couple of tackles beautifully, only to roll the ball tamely to Johnstone. Still nice to have him back. Did well to apply pressure for the winning goal. Would have been an amazing moment if he’d actually got there ahead of Mosquera.