DAVE PORTER REPORTS ON ARSENAL 5 WOLVES 0
The team selection once again raised more questions than answers. 4-3-3, 4-4-2, who knows? Certainly not the players, who once again looked completely clueless about what was expected of them. This was compounded after Wolves quickly fell two goals behind, and Mario Lemina became a makeshift sweeper, attempting but failing to stem the tide. For the record, Dawson and Neves were unexpectedly left out, and Raul was given a farewell, one game too late for anyone to really care.
The result and performance were once again embarrassing. Wolves have experienced some tough times, but two games within a month that surpassed any of the lows of Terry Connor is an achievement in itself. How on earth this Wolves team has managed to stay up is a mystery, and the bigger question is, would it have been a blessing to have been relegated. Such was the inflicted humiliation. Make no mistake, this could have easily been ten goals.
There seems to be little point in going through all the goals individually. Wolves defended in a way reminiscent of Mike Gatting facing a Shane Warne leg break. We were simply outclassed by an Arsenal team barely out of testimonial mode. Talk of European aspirations next year looks almost comical. There is a minimum tolerance level of performance, and Lopetegui has managed his team to some of the worst performances Wolves have ever seen. Wolves have had a troubled history, of course, but for the most part, small margins have been the cause. Not anymore. Lopetegui has overseen total annihilations that are unfamiliar and unacceptable.
Arsenal cruised through this game. Wolves offered nothing as an attacking force and defended like a group (not sure about the collective noun) of clowns on roller skates. How has the team that feared no one just a few years ago turned into this?
Wolves give the appearance of a club in absolute chaos. Maybe it isn’t just an appearance; maybe it’s the truth. Time to enjoy the summer and cross your fingers, because this team is poor. It has no identity, no desire, no quality, and it barely deserves it’s Premier League status.
In terms of the match facts, Arsenal took the lead after 13 minutes and doubled their lead two minutes later. Bueno, who had his worst game in a Wolves shirt, was beaten for both goals, leading to Xhaka scoring his first brace in Premier League football. A third goal followed from Saka, curling the ball into the corner after again easily bypassing a very poor Bueno.
Wolves were spared a fourth goal after halftime when a Partey goal was disallowed following a push on Sa, but it was only a temporary respite. Arsenal decided that humiliating one full-back was not enough and chose to torment Semedo on the other flank, resulting in a simple Jesus header.
The final goal owed much to Sa, who decided to gift one for good measure. He will receive a lot of criticism for the goal, but he did make a few good saves in between. Perhaps, though, the theme of the day was set from the very first minute when Sa bizarrely failed to collect a ball, causing chaos in the box and leading to an Arsenal corner.
The result flattered Wolves. It was an awful end to an awful season. As for the Wolves’ chances, you might ask… There were none. Don’t bother watching Match of the Day.
ARTICLE BY DAVE PORTER
Wolverhampton born, East Sussex based supporter. Old enough to have seen the descent to the bottom, young enough to not have experienced the days my friend. Not many Wolves fans to celebrate or commiserate with round these parts, so had to find an outlet to discuss the enormous highs, crushing lows and share the frustrations that only come with following Wolves.
