Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Arsenal: Mikel Arteta’s side return to top of Premier League

Arsenal put their Champions League disappointment firmly previously to beat Wolves at Molineux and transfer again to the highest of the Premier League.

Leandro Trossard’s strike within the final minute of the opening interval might not have been probably the most eye-catching of the Belgian’s profession however it was completely timed.

It got here on the finish of a half the place Arsenal appeared to have gotten caught after a brilliant begin and practically fell behind to Gary O’Neil’s injury-ravaged facet.

The guests dominated the second half too however had been unable to carve out the clear probabilities that will have allowed them to take the sport out of attain.

Captain Martin Odegaard added the second deep into stoppage time on the finish of the sport, delivering from a decent angle after his preliminary cross had been blocked.

“I actually favored the efficiency, the consequence, the clear sheet,” mentioned Gunners boss Arteta. “However particularly the best way the group has individually proven that they nonetheless have one other step ahead to make and resilience that’s wanted in these moments to step in and say ‘I am right here, I am gonna make myself depend and impression the group’.”

The consequence means Arsenal at the moment are a degree away from Metropolis, with a greater purpose distinction however having performed a recreation extra.

They’ve the prospect to use some important strain to the defending champions after they entertain overwhelmed FA Cup semi-finalists Chelsea on Tuesday.

“In case you have a look at the quantity of video games we have performed in the previous couple of weeks, the sorts of video games that we’ve performed and the perspective and the best way they performed it is prime,” Arteta added.

“It is inside them. They wish to win, they wish to compete at their finest and their effort is unquestionable. The outcomes are one thing however I am actually glad for the strategy and the mentality of the group.”

Drained Wolves’ winless run continues

Wolves’ efforts had been recognised positively by followers who stayed behind their group all through – however when the season attracts to an in depth, how a lot will they remorse permitting Championship Coventry to overturn their injury-time lead of their FA Cup quarter-final at Molineux final month?

A Wembley semi-final this weekend would have lifted a season that has became a grind for O’Neil’s squad, who had been excellent for the primary two-thirds of the marketing campaign however now appear affected by an absence of vitality and our bodies.

Joao Gomes compelled David Raya to push his angled first-half effort on to a publish and substitute Mario Lemina examined the Arsenal keeper with a second-half shot.

However they had been sporadic moments of attacking invention, with Wolves’ finest performers being defenders, notably captain Max Kilman and Toti, who had been excellent on the coronary heart of the house facet’s rearguard motion.

On-loan Tommy Doyle was industrious for Wolves.

Nonetheless, they’ve now gone six video games with no win in all competitions, their longest run because the finish of the 2021-22 season.

Chairman Jeff Shi has repeatedly acknowledged the membership didn’t usher in reinforcements throughout the January window as a result of he was not ready to threat breaking the Premier League’s revenue and sustainability guidelines. Nonetheless, the sensation will linger that the choice price Wolves and O’Neil a practical shot at a prime half end.

‘Magician’ Trossard strikes the essential blow

Trossard has been out and in as an Arsenal participant since becoming a member of from Brighton in a £21m deal in January 2023.

The Belgian has nonetheless made extra substitute appearances than begins within the Premier League for the Gunners – and when issues aren’t going properly, he’s an apparent candidate to get replaced.

But he scores key objectives. Because the starting of final month alone, he has offered a winner in opposition to Porto within the Champions League, an equaliser within the dwelling leg of the quarter-final with Bayern Munich, and now his newest effort – which takes him to 14 for the season in all competitions. Solely Bukayo Saka has scored extra for the Gunners.

It was a scruffy effort, leaning again and on the stretch to get to Gabriel Jesus’ prodded move. However it floated proper into the highest nook, out of goalkeeper Jose Sa’s attain. It modified the complexion of a night that was beginning to get a bit nervy for the guests, who earlier than that had allowed Wolves again right into a recreation that they had initially dominated.

“He is somewhat magician,” mentioned Arteta. “He can rating with any service. He is a giant risk. So composed, so cool, he can play in several positions. It is only a pleasure to have him within the group.”

On the finish of a troublesome week, it was comprehensible Arsenal weren’t at their free-flowing finest.

Nonetheless, that they had probabilities. Kai Havertz swivelled neatly inside the realm in each halves. Nonetheless, on every event, the German despatched his shot straight at Jose Sa.

Declan Rice had 4 alternatives, together with a first-half shot he despatched fizzing simply huge and an injury-time effort that compelled Sa into an honest save. But, for all his apparent qualities, the England midfielder is but to enhance his objectives output, one thing he’s definitely able to.

It took Odegaard to lastly end Wolves off with a close-range effort in stoppage time.

Participant of the match

ØdegaardMartin Ødegaard

Wolverhampton Wanderers

1. Squad quantity8Participant titleJoão Gomes

2. Squad quantity20Participant titleDoyle

3. Squad quantity6Participant titleTraoré

4. Squad quantity2Participant titleDoherty

5. Squad quantity3Participant titleAït-Nouri

6. Squad quantity5Participant titleLemina

7. Squad quantity21Participant titleSarabia

8. Squad quantity23Participant titleKilman

9. Squad quantity1Participant titleJosé Sá

10. Squad quantity24Participant titleToti Gomes

11. Squad quantity11Participant titleHwang Hee-chan

12. Squad quantity4Participant titleBueno

13. Squad quantity62Participant titleChirewa

14. Squad quantity17Participant titleBueno