Match report: Arsenal 1-2 Wolves

By Josh James

 

WHAT HAPPENED

We suffered another damaging defeat at the Emirates, despite scoring our first Premier League goal from open play in six games.

 

The two sides went into the game with identical scoring records - just nine goals conceded and ten conceded each from the opening nine games - but despite that both teams showed plenty of attacking intent in the opening few minutes.

 

But all of that momentum was lost following a horrific looking clash of heads between David Luiz and Raul Jimenez as we attacked a corner. After a stoppage of some 10 minutes, David Luiz was bandaged up and carried on, while Jimenez was stretchered off the pitch.

 

Not surprisingly the game took a while to get going again. The game slowed down and we were punished for a lack of urgency when Wolves took the lead. Leander Dendoncker thumped a header against the bar but Pedro Neto was in the right place to squeeze in the rebound.

 

The goal served to wake us up. Just three minutes later Willian sent in a teasing cross from the right and his compatriot Gabriel rose highest to direct a powerful header past Rui Patricio.

 

The game had opened up and Wolves retook the lead through Daniel Podence. Bernd Leno spilt a deflected shot from Neto and Podence was first to pounce on the loose ball.

 

Rob Holding replaced David Luiz at half-time, who was still clearly feeling the effects of the early collision.

 

We were struggling to put any pace in to our attacks, and also looked vulnerable whenever Wolves broke forward.

 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was receiving limited service, but created a chance for himself when he stole the ball off Patricio's toes outside the area. The keeper scrambled back to push away Aubameyang's low shot however.

 

Substitute Reiss Nelson then shot over when well-placed while Aubameyang headed wide from a deep Bellerin cross.

 

But despite putting the visitors under more pressure in the final 15 minutes, we fell to a third successive league defeat at home.

 

 

 

HOW IT HAPPENED

A play-by-play account of the game can be found by clicking here.

 

 

TEAM NEWS

There were just two changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Leeds last weekend. Bukayo Saka shook off a knock to start in place of the suspended Nicolas Pepe, while David Luiz returned to the defence as Rob Holding dropped to the bench.

 

WHAT IT MEANS

WHAT'S NEXT

The long-awaited return of fans to Emirates Stadium - albeit just 2,000 to start with – is set for this Thursday evening in the Europa League against Rapid Vienna. We are top of the group with maximum points from four games, and progression to the knock out stages is already assured, but having supporters in the stadium for the first time since March 7 is sure to add interest to the fixture.

 

 

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

We will welcome fans back to the Emirates for Thursday's match against Rapid Vienna, so all being well, this was our last behind closed doors at home for the foreseeable future. Our record at the Emirates during the period supporters were locked out was as P11 W7 D1 L3 F22 A13. Overall behind closed doors (including Wembley and away matches) the record was P28 W17 D2 L9 F42 A28.