In the inaugural match of the Premier League season at the Emirates, Arsenal emerged victorious with a score of 2-0 over Wolves.
After Kai Havertz scored within the first 25 minutes, the Gunners regained control with Bukayo Saka’s spectacular 74th-minute strike.
After receiving an assist from Saka, Havertz scored Arsenal’s inaugural Premier League goal of the season with a deft close-range header.
Before he was involved in a dispute with Yerson Mosquera in the second half.
The Emirates was brought to its feet by Saka’s exquisite curling finish from 15 yards, despite the fact that Wolves were relishing a period of sustained pressure.
This is the evaluation of the Gunners’ display by Isabelle Barker of SunSport.
David Raya – 8
Produced a jaw-dropping save in the opening-half on an awkward Jorgen Strand Larsen header.
Saved Saliba’s skins late on when he nearly produced a monumental cock-up by passing the ball straight to Cunha.
6Ben White got a new hair do ahead of the new Prem seasonCredit: Getty
Ben White – 7
White wanted a goal so bad, had two shots in the opening half and was linking the play well.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6
Put the Gunners under pressure at times to highlight why the club signed Riccardo Calafiori in the summer.
The Ukrainian left-back also looked weak defensively.
With the return of Jurrien Timber, Zinchenko could see himself out of the starting XI.
6Zinchenko failed to impress during Arsenal’s winCredit: Getty
Gabriel – 7
Was mostly rock solid at the back and was more reliable than Saliba but still made a few questionable tackles.
William Saliba – 6
Was the culprit of a number of poor passes.
Had a disastrous spell which gifted Wolves a chance, forcing Raya into that blinding save in the first-half.
He then passed the ball straight to Matheus Cunha who so very nearly equalised in the second-half.
Martin Odegaard – 7
6Martin Odegaard led Arsenal to their first win of the new seasonCredit: Getty
Thomas Partey – 7
Solid display, buzzed about all over the pitch and was neat and tidy with his distribution.
Nearly made it 2-0 in the second-half with a rasping, low shot.
Declan Rice – 6
Had little influence throughout the game and came off injured on 84-minutes.
Bukayo Saka – 9
The opener was all about the cross from Saka.
It was an inch-perfect, in-swinging cross into the box, the keeper couldn’t come for it, the defenders didn’t want to knock it into their own net, and Havertz took full advantage.
He wrapped up a perfect performance by firing a rocket into the top corner to make it 2-0.
Kai Havertz – 8
His opener had been brewing for a while when he produced a crisp finish on 25 minutes. He has now scored 10 goals in his last 15 Premier League games. Scuppered a golden chance early in the second-half though.
6Havertz was hit in the face by Yerson Mosquera leaving Arsenal fans fumingCredit: Getty
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Solid performance but was wasteful and selfish when he could have laid the ball back to Declan Rice when he was wide open.