ANDREW BENNETT REPORTS ON WOLVES 1-0 DEFEAT TO ARSENAL
Boring football 1 – 0 lackluster football. Arsenal visit Molineux to face an unchanged Wolves side from the hosts 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on Monday night; both sides needing points for different reasons as Wolves aim to put some distance between themselves and the drop zone and Arsenal chase early season pacesetters Liverpool.
The teams:
Wolves:
Sa, Semedo, Doherty (Guedes, 87), Bueno, Agbadou, Ait-Nouri (R.Gomes, 87), Andre (Doyle, 87), J.Gomes, Sarabia (Bellegarde, 75), Cunha, Larsen (Hwang, 32).
Arsenal:
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Nwaneri (Calafiori, 45), Martinelli (Tierney, 87), Havertz, Trossard.
The first half:
The half started with both sides slowly trying to find themselves, Arsenal to my astonishment as a Wolves fan slowing the game down playing to Wolves advantage allowing the hosts in shape available to break.
The first and only real opportunity for Wolves came as Semedo broke down the right wing and put a ball into the back post for Sarabia to volley narrowly wide.
As the half continued Arsenal grew into the game however often only on the back of misplaced passes with Sa, Agbadou, Bueno, Ait Nouri and Gomes all guilty of easily giving the ball away and presenting Arsenal the ball in the final third. Credit to the defensive unit who have recovered well in these situations only allowing one clear chance to the visitors as Havertz fired a first time shot against an outstretched Jose Sa.
Gradually the game was getting scrappier and Arsenal were getting more set piece opportunities. Yet the most dramatic moment of the half came as Doherty broke out the Wolves box following a corner for Lewis-Skelly to hack the Irishman down and receive an immediate red card.
With 7 minutes added time due to injuries to Strand Larsen and the red card Wolves pushed forward unable to find any openings as the chemistry between Hwang (who replaced the injured Larsen) Cunha and Sarabia just off as passes went astray. Just before the half time whistle Agbadou had the only opportunity of notice firing over.
A mention to the consistency of officiating this half as Gomes is booked for kicking the ball away for Havertz to do the same thing 30 seconds later and nothing given. Additionally as Arsenal received the red card all the other 10 players surrounded the official and no bookings, If only Mario Lemina was so lucky those years ago in Southampton?
The second half:
The half starts with Arsenal storming out the blocks trying to catch the hosts cold. With a barrage of corners and free kicks which came to nothing and a special mention to Hwang who did a good job defensively heading away and putting distance on the clearances.
Wolves managed to escape the barrage and had a flurry of attacks with a soft effort from Hwang straight into Raya’s arms, Sarabia firing just wide and Cunha forcing a good save from the Arsenal keeper, however couldn’t take advantage of the moments of pressure.
Wolves were vulnerable even in moments of domination and on two occasions in succession Agbadou put great challenges in on Martinelli to stop any Arsenal momentum.
Out of nowhere the pitbull Joao Gomes was brandished a second yellow and a red card for a poor challenge as he pressed Timber on the edge of Arsenal’s box. No arguments, a red card 10 vs. 10!
Wolves had not settled after the red card and Arsenal took the initiative with a cross not dealt with properly by Semedo who could only head into the path of second half substitute Calafiori to fire into the bottom corner.
The game proceeded much as it did for large parts of the first half with neither team able to create any chance of notice with multiple stoppages, Wolves best opportunity with 10 men fell to Ait Nouri who got in behind from a Sa kick only to be denied by the Gunners goalkeeper.
The game stopped and started with Wolves showing the intensity of a limp sloth unable to break down a resolute Arsenal defence rejuvenated with the return of star man Saliba, 5 minutes additional time passed with nothing of note happening and another defeat at home for Wolves as we go through this difficult spell of fixtures.
Overall Summary:
Not a lot to shout about an uninspired performance against a subpar Arsenal, another week where substitutions didn’t contribute enough to the team and particularly Bellegarde coming on in central midfield summarised Wolves performance as he ran to the byline to fall over without being able to cross the ball or win a corner. Questions must be asked if Bellegarde is the substitute central midfielder and Doyle sits on the bench only to be used in the last few moments. Just over a week left of the mid-season transfer window and reinforcements are required if this side is to stay up from their own merit and not others ineptitude.
article by Andrew Bennett
From my first Wolves match against Chelsea in 2003 I fell in love with the team and matchday experience. I work in digital marketing and have lived in Germany and Estonia over the past few years, this doesn’t stop me following Wolves and ensuring all my international friends become invested to the Wolf pack. I enjoy football, board games, a pint and travelling always excited to try new things. You will find me in the north bank on a matchday.