Arsenal defeated Wolves 2-1 in a dramatic Premier League encounter on Saturday evening.
Some boos rang around the Emirates Stadium at half-time, as Arsenal failed to break down the worst defence in the Premier League in the first half. It took until the 70th minute before they finally broke the deadlock, as Bukayo Saka’s corner hit the post and then hit Sam Johnstone on the back of the head, and went into the back of his own goal.
In the 90th minute, Wolves scored a shock equaliser to level the match up at 1-1 through substitute Tolu Arokordare’s header, but then Saka’s cross was headed into his own net by Yerson Mosquera as the Gunners snatched all three points from the jaws of despair.
Arsenal Player Ratings
GK: David Raya – 6/10
Forced into action just once in the match. Although he had just the one save to make, it was a very good and important one. Raya’s positioning for Wolves’ goal was arguably poor.
RB: Ben White – 6/10
Forced off after playing just 31 minutes due to suffering an injury. White enjoyed a decent start to the match, having some success down the right flank, especially with his balls into the box.
CB: Jurrien Timber – 7.5/10
Although Timber was asked to do shifts at both centre-back and right-back, he put in a very solid performance. Defensively, he was pretty much flawless, and he also had some bright moments in wide areas with his crossing.
CB: William Saliba – 8/10
Efficient with the ball at his feet and always trying to get his teammates up the pitch. The Frenchman had very little defensive work to do due to Wolves’ lack of attacking threat, but when he was called into action, he was very good.
LB: Piero Hincapie – 7/10
Hardly had any work to do defensively, but was pretty effective going forward and when trying to get his side up the pitch.
CM: Martin Zubimendi – 5/10
Saw plenty of the ball in the midfield, but couldn’t find a pass through to the forward line which split the Wolves defence. The Spaniard mainly passed sideways and backwards, even when Arsenal needed a goal.
CM: Declan Rice – 6/10
The England international put in a decent performance in midfield, but became quite predictable and easy to deal with, as all he really offered was crosses into the box, and most of them were either overhit or dealt with by Johnstone.
AM: Eberechi Eze – 5/10
Tried his best to drive forward with the ball and create chances for his side, but just couldn’t bypass the Wolves defence despite his best efforts.
RW: Bukayo Saka – 9/10 (Man of the Match)
By far Arsenal’s best and brightest player. Pretty much all the success Arsenal had going forward came through the Englishman, and he also played a part in Johnstone’s own goal, as his corner caused the problems. Saka was also involved in Wolves’ second own goal with another dangerous cross.
ST: Victor Gyokeres – 3/10
Hardly ever got involved in the match, and even when he dropped deep and did, he looked pretty clunky and sloppy. There were several moments where his teammates put some really good, low crosses into the Wolves box, but he just wasn’t there to meet them.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – 5.5/10
Missed a few really good chances, albeit they were from tight angles. Martinelli had some success in one-on-one situations, but his decision-making in and around Wolves’ box really let him down.
SUB: Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7/10
Replaced White very well and gave Arsenal plenty of energy and directness down the left flank.