New look Wolves roll back the years
Arsenal 1 v Wolverhampton Wanderers 2
It is thirty-one years since Wolves last claimed a victory away to Arsenal, Kenny Hibbitt and Andy Gray the goal scorers. On the other hand, it is slightly less than thirty-one years since Nuno Espirito Santo was unveiled as the new coach of Wolves an appointment that marked the dawn of the 3-5-2 era. With Conor Coady acting as quarterback at the heart of a back three allied to hitting opponents on the break, the method had been a triumph transforming Wolves into a serious Premier League unit. But at times last season and certainly this, the rigid shape and propensity to play keep ball had become boring. Shawn of Diogo Jota, and the underrated Matt Doherty, Wolves were finding it increasingly difficult to create chances. So last week, against Southampton, Nuno threw caution to the wind by adopting a 4-3-3 line up. And at a stroke chances were created which, on any other day, would have resulted in a win, rather than the winning draw that ensued.
Buoyed by its potential, Nuno adopted a similar line up to this evening’s encounter v Arsenal. Had he stuck to the formation, rather than remove the excellent Daniel Podence - with twenty minutes of the game still to play - Wolves would have run out comfortable winners. As it was in ceding their attacking threat Wolves spent the final quarter of the game in less than assured mode and but for some poor Arsenal finishing, they could have been denied a well-earned win.
The game was only eight minutes old when a sickening collision of heads between Raul Jimenez and David Luiz rendered both unconscious. Yet it was the Wolves striker who came off the worse, only being removed from the fray following prolonged treatment. Luiz would battle on until half time, when he too had to be substituted. So unpleasant had the clash been that it may have enveloped proceedings in a cloak of despond. But it was to the players credit that they put the event behind them providing an entertaining spectacle in which Wolves looked the more dominant.
Jota and Doherty may have gone but in Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence Wolves may well have plugged the gap and more. Both are quick, skilful with an ability to go passed players and of late their efforts on goal have been hitting the target without necessarily finding the net. That deficit was consigned to the dustbin when on 26 minutes Adama Traore hit the bye line before delivering the most inviting of floated crosses. Met by Leander Dendoncker the Belgian should have scored rather than crash his header against the bar. But fortunately for Wolves Neto was on hand to fire home with his weaker peg. The lead however was short in stature when, three minutes later, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang was denied a goal by some desperate Coady defending. From the ensuing corner Gabrielle outjumped a bevy of Wolves defenders to head home Willian’s cross.
In time’s past a passage of ball retention would have followed but under 4-3-3 the system encourages attack. Which Wolves did, creating a series of further opportunities, before in the 41st minute making it pay. Picking the ball up just short of the half-way line Traore’s tricky footwork took three players out of the game before he released Neto. Advancing rapidly on goal the Portuguese striker drifted left before firing fiercely at Bernd Leno. A small deflection caused the Arsenal keeper to spill the ball allowing the impudent Podence to pounce. He still had much to do and did, dinking the ball over Leno’s outstretched legs before half volleying home. It was a brilliant goal and more than reflected Wolves’ first half dominance.
The general tenet of the game continued into the second half until, thinking that the game was all but won, Nuno chose to replace Podence with the more conservative Neves. The initiative having been ceded cue twenty minutes of flappy Wolves defending during which Bukayo Saka, Aubameyang and Reiss Nelson all squandered good opportunities.
It is just over 12 months since Coach Nuno was discounted as a potential replacement for Unai Emery on account of his poor communication skills. “You don’t know what you’re doing” could be a chant levelled at the Arsenal board.
Fulham FC: Leno 6, Bellerin 6, Luiz 6 Sub Holding 6, dos santos Magalhaes (Gabriel) 7, Tierney 5, Ceballos 6, Xhaka 5 Sub Lacazette, Willian 6 Sub Nelson, Willock 6, Saka 6, Aubameyang 6
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Patricio 6, Semedo 7, Boly 6, Coady 7, Marcal 7, Dendoncker 7, Moutinho 7, Podence 8 Sub Neves, Neto 8, Traore 8, Jimenez - Sub Silva 6 Sub Kilman.
Attendance: Nil (Covid 19)
Referee: Michael Oliver 8
Ps. Last week Diego Armando Maradona died. Forever tainted in English eyes for “The Hand of God” the little Argentinian was nevertheless a genius. Perhaps the greatest natural footballer to play the game. Watch Asif Kapadia’s superb 2019 documentary simply called Diego Maradona and judge for yourself Diego Maradona (2019) - IMDb
©Mark Brennand