Wolves left firing blanks at 10 man Arsenal

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 v Arsenal 1

Naughty boy Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may have departed North London for sunnier climes but in his absence his team-mates have acquired a deal of steel not really evident since Patrick Viera hung up his boots. Down to ten men following the all too pleasing dismissal of Gabrielle Martinelli - this in the 69th minute during a spell when their time wasting and play acting was corroding the encounter - Arsenal gamely held on to secure a hard fought three points. As for Wolves, this was almost a carbon copy of their performance against Norwich on Saturday. For try as they might to breach the defensive line, their lack of invention and luck meant that they failed to create an opening of note. Bar a scrambled shot off the line in the second half Arsenal keeper, Aaron Ramsdale, was barely troubled.

The game’s soul goal arrived in the 24th minute when Wolves failed to clear their lines from a corner. As the ball dropped Alexandre Lacazette prodded across the six-yard box to Gabriel who side footed home. It was against the run of play as Wolves had been lively in the opening quarter without ever truly threatening. For their part, other than the stylish Thomas Partay, Arsenal were no great shakes which made the goal concession all the more galling. That said the visitors should have put the game to bed when in the 71st minute Gabriel’s incisive through ball put Alexander Lacazette free on goal. But with Sa advancing from his line the Frenchman fired wide.

Have Wolves thus far overachieved? Two things are certain; they have the third worst attack in the premier league and the second best defence. I seem to recall Sheffield United doing similar. They need goals but it’s not evident that the current strike force has it within them.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Sa 6, Semedo 6, Kilman 7, Coady 6 Sub Silva, Saiss 7, Marcal 6 Sub Ait Nourri, Dendoncker 6, Neves 7, Podence 7, Jimenez 6,Trincao 6 Sub Tomas Oliveira .

Arsenal: Ramsdale 6, Soares 6, White 7, Gabriel 7, Tierney 7, Partay 8, Xhaka 6, Saka 6 Sub Holding, Odegaard 6 Sub Smith Rowe, Martinelli 5 (Sent off) Lacazette 6 Sub Nketia

Attendance: 31,523

Referee: M Oliver 8

©Mark Brennand