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 essentially the most eye-catching of the Belgian’s profession but it surely was completely timed.

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

The guests dominated the second half too however have been unable to carve out the clear probabilities that might 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, handing over from a decent angle after his preliminary cross had been blocked.

The outcome means Arsenal are actually some extent away from Metropolis, with a greater purpose distinction however having performed a recreation extra.

They’ve the possibility to use some vital stress to the defending champions after they entertain overwhelmed FA Cup semi-finalists Chelsea on Tuesday.

Drained Wolves’ winless run continues

Wolves’ efforts have been recognised positively by followers who stayed behind their staff 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 become a grind for O’Neil’s squad, who have been very good for the primary two-thirds of the marketing campaign however now appear affected by a scarcity 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 have been sporadic moments of attacking invention, with Wolves’ finest performers being defenders, significantly captain Max Kilman and Toti, who have been excellent on the coronary heart of the house aspect’s rearguard motion.

On-loan Tommy Doyle was industrious for Wolves.

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

Chairman Jeff Shi has repeatedly said the membership didn’t usher in reinforcements through the January window as a result of he was not ready to danger breaking the Premier League’s revenue and sustainability guidelines. Nevertheless, the sensation will linger that the choice value Wolves and O’Neil a sensible shot at a high half end.

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 should not going properly, he’s an apparent candidate to get replaced.

But he scores key objectives. Because the starting of final month alone, he has supplied a winner towards Porto within the Champions League, an equaliser within the residence 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 cross. But it surely 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.

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

Nonetheless, that they had probabilities. Kai Havertz swivelled neatly inside the world in each halves. Nevertheless, 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 extensive and an injury-time effort that compelled Sa into a good 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

Squad quantity8Participant titleJoão Gomes

Squad quantity20Participant titleDoyle

Squad quantity6Participant titleTraoré

Squad quantity2Participant titleDoherty

Squad quantity3Participant titleAït-Nouri

Squad quantity5Participant titleLemina

Squad quantity21Participant titleSarabia

Squad quantity23Participant titleKilman

Squad quantity1Participant titleJosé Sá

Squad quantity24Participant titleToti Gomes

Squad quantity11Participant titleHwang Hee-chan

Squad quantity4Participant titleBueno

Squad quantity62Participant titleChirewa

Squad quantity17Participant titleBueno