Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard propelled Arsenal to the top of the Premier League, rejuvenating their pursuit of the crown.
However, it is the Gunners’ defensive prowess that may ultimately secure them the league title in May.
Leandro Trossard fired Arsenal back to the top of the table
His strike flew in off the post and into the top corner
Martin Odegaard would the net from a tight angle in injury time
Mikel Arteta’s defensive trio consisting of David Raya, William Saliba, and Gabriel achieved a remarkable feat by maintaining a clean sheet for the sixth consecutive away league encounter, a record-breaking achievement in the club’s history.
Arsenal managed to break their streak of three winless games with a hard-fought but unremarkable victory.
However, it is possible that at the conclusion of the season, it may out to be quite valuable.
Arsenal would often approach this game with a confident and self-assured demeanor.
They had emerged victorious in their previous five encounters with Wolves and successfully found the back of the net in each of their last 32 matchups versus Wanderers in all competitions.
Nevertheless, the Gunners were still recovering from the negative impact of consecutive losses to Aston Villa and Bayern Munich, and were seeking their first victory in four matches.
The agonizing losses brought Arsenal’s season to the verge of collapse and intensified the pressure on Arteta’s players.
Nevertheless, this is the crucial phase of the season, and it was their responsibility to ensure that they resumed their customary operations in order to reclaim the top position in the Premier League.
Although they did not fully attain that goal, the only thing that truly counts at this point in the season are the outcomes.
Regrettably for Arteta, his team commenced the match as if they were still recovering from the effects of their recent visit to Munich.
While they had a significant amount of ball control and managed to create many opportunities, they failed to pose a significant threat to Jose Sa, the goalkeeper of Wolves.
In the first minute of the match, Kai Havertz attempted a shot while turning, but it lacked sufficient force and Sa made a low save to his right.
Gabriel Jesus hastily attempted another shot, but unfortunately, he sent the ball wide. Saka’s high, arcing header was effortlessly caught by Sa.
Trossard made a concerted effort to energize the Gunners, delivering two well-placed passes to the edge of the Wolves box inside a span of five minutes.
However, on both instances, Declan Rice utilized the instep of his right foot and kicked the ball wide using the side of his foot.
The Gunners were fatigued and lacking energy after their journey to Bavaria, while Gary O’Neil’s understrength Wolves team gained more assurance.
Tawanda Chirewa, the team’s 20-year-old forward, attempted a shot from a distance of 25 yards, but the ball ricocheted off Rice and was caught by Raya.
Leandro Trossard failed to properly connect with a pass from Ben White, resulting in a missed opportunity. Shortly after, he received a yellow card for committing a foul on Joao Gomes.
Arsenal appeared significantly diminished compared to the team that had been considered frontrunners to win the championship only four matches earlier.
David Raya had a crucial role in preventing Wolves from scoring and maintaining an even score.
Jakub Kiwior, who consistently lagged behind, displayed a lackadaisical attitude and was outmaneuvered by Gomes, who successfully prevented him from advancing before forcefully striking a shot towards the goal at an angle.
However, Raya challenged him by automatically extending his left glove to redirect the ball towards the goalpost.
Gomes, feeling despondent, held his head in his hands, acknowledging that Wolves’ most promising opportunity had likely vanished.
Rice’s exasperation reached its peak as he received a booking for committing a foul on Bueno, before vehemently objecting that referee Paul Tierney had disregarded a more severe charge committed by Max Kilman on Havertz.
During Havertz’s medical care, Arteta summoned his players to the touchline and made frenzied gestures in an effort to invigorate them.
Saliba evidently did not receive the communication since he made a careless pass directly to Hugo Bueno before rectifying his mistake with a precisely timed tackle.
Arteta’s remarks evidently had a profound impact on his strikers, as the Gunners unexpectedly and dramatically took the lead shortly before the end of the first half.
Although luck played a significant role, none of the individuals wearing red and white appeared to be particularly concerned.
David Raya made a smart stop to deny Joao Gomes
Hwang Hee-Chan’s foul on Jakub Kiwior looked a painful one
Mikel Arteta will be delighted with his players’ response after a tough week
Captain Odegaard marked his goal with this celebration
Havertz lofted the ball into the box and Jesus appeared to clip Doherty before the Wolves man hauled him to the ground.
Rather than staying on the turf and claiming for a penalty, the Brazilian bounced back to his feet and, although his first touch was heavy the ball fell invitingly to Trossard.
The Belgian was off balance as he shot but somehow the ball sliced off his toe and sailed over Sa, clipping the inside of the post on its way into the net.
It was Trossard’s ninth goal of the season – the most he has ever managed – and it sent Arsenal back to the top of the table.
Hwang Hee-Chan was booked after the break for going in late on Kiwior and was swiftly replaced by Mario Lemina.
The Wolves midfielder tested Raya with a shot which the keeper plucked out of the air.
Arteta replaced Trossard with Gabriel Martinelli as he searched for the comfort of a second goal.
But it was Wolves who were pressing now without really troubling Raya.
Then as the match spilled into injury time it was Sa who had to rescue Wolves, saving from Rice and Martinelli before Odegaard finally put Wolves to the sword.
The Arsenal captain took the ball from Havertz and although his attempted return pass was blocked, he was first to react and squeezed the ball home from a tight angle to seal the Gunners’ 23rd Premier League win of the season.
David Raya kept another away clean sheetCredit: Getty
Wolves had a depleted squad going into the gameCredit: Reuters
Gabriel Martinelli was denied by Jose SaCredit: PA