Arsenal achieved a deserved but hard-fought victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, winning the match 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. From start to finish, the game provided incredible drama. Wolves’ goalkeeper Sam Johnstone scored an unfortunate own goal, while Tolu Arokodare scored an important equaliser. Bukayo Saka, making his first start for the Gunners, provided as much of a match-winning role as anyone with two immaculate crosses.
For Wolves’ new manager Rob Edwards, it was another blow, and a fifth-straight loss since taking over the reins. The game was a feature of universal plays, masterful subs and game-changing plays that left us in suspense.
The play developed so fast due to Arsenal’s desire to gain control early in the contest. Bukayo Saka’s impressive throws and teasing deliveries from the right flank put immense pressure on the Wolves’ defense. His performance was capped by a wondrous long looped throw-in that turned heads around the field and the world.
For all their woes, Wolverhampton had more than a touch of spirit and fight to them, as exemplified when they equalized through Arokodare. Starring in the win was Sam Johnstone, who made a sensational save from Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli. Unfortunately, an own goal would soon prove very costly for his team.
“Sometimes you need [luck] … today it went our way … we’ll take the points and move forward … we won’t know until May [how important this win is] but we can be happy tonight … despite the performance and how the game went … we want teams to know it’s going to be tough [coming to the Emirates] and we have done that … it was frustrating at times … we stayed patient … keep trying things … in the end we got our reward … [morale] is high … we have a break until next week … we can reflect.” – Bukayo Saka
The game featured the use of all five allowed substitutions for Wolves, Gyokeres replaced in attack by Jesus. This move was intended to re energize their offense as they looked to create a three-peat of their own. Jesus’s introduction gave City a new impetus, but Wolves were denied as they failed to make the most of their opportunities on the break.
Defeated head coach Rob Edwards was understandably disappointed post-match but found some positives to focus on despite the defeat. He noted that his team executed their game plan effectively for significant stretches but lamented the bizarre nature of the goals conceded.
“It’s really difficult … it’s hard to come out and talk to you, I’m not gonna lie … ultimately we’ve lost another game … it’s our fault … the lads carried the gameplan out well … they limited [Arsenal] to quite little by their standards … the two goals we conceded are quite bizarre … to get back in it, work that hard … show a lot of spirit and courage … and then to lose it late on hurts … there’s a lot there to like, but right now, I hate losing … we’re going the right way about it … it is a positive tonight … but we’re in the results business … congratulations to Arsenal … that’s why they are where they are, they find a way … that’s why we are where we are, we found a way to lose it … I saw a lot of good things … proud of many aspects … I feel for the supporters … to travel all this way, late … I feel for them as well … we are going about it the right way …” – Rob Edwards
The span of time before the goalie’s call underscored Arsenal’s knack for capitalizing on chances. As the clock continued to tick down, they fought on with fevered urgency and dogged dedication. Gabriel Jesus’s notable dribble down the inside-right channel exemplified Arsenal’s attacking flair, keeping Wolves’ defense on high alert.
Wolves, who were behind for most of the game, showed a lot of character and fight. Although their efforts were noble, mistakes came back to haunt them. Fans and analysts alike lamented their misfortune, adding that it was apparent luck had abandoned them yet again in this campaign.