Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Wolves at Molineux in a hard-fought Premier League clash. Despite being reduced to ten men in the first half, the Gunners showed resilience, with substitute Riccardo Calafiori scoring the decisive goal. Wolves, who also went down to ten men late in the game, couldn’t capitalize on their chances, extending their poor run of form.
Match Summary
- First Half:
Wolves started brightly, creating the first major chance when Pablo Sarabia volleyed over from a Nelson Semedo cross. Arsenal’s best opportunities came from Leandro Trossard’s deliveries to Kai Havertz, but the German missed two headers. The game took a turn when Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Matt Doherty. - Second Half:
Arsenal responded well despite their numerical disadvantage, with Gabriel and Declan Rice coming close. Wolves’ Joao Gomes received a second yellow card for a reckless foul on Jurrien Timber, leveling the playing field. Shortly after, Riccardo Calafiori, brought on at halftime, scored the winner with a composed finish inside the box. - Closing Stages:
Wolves pushed for an equalizer, with Rayan Ait-Nouri spurning a late chance by shooting straight at David Raya. Arsenal held firm to claim a crucial three points.
Player Ratings
Wolves (3-4-2-1)
- GK: Jose Sa – 6.5
Made a few routine saves but couldn’t do much to stop Calafiori’s goal. - CB: Matt Doherty – 7.3
Solid defensively and contributed in attack before being subbed late. - CB: Emmanuel Agbadou – 8.4 (Player of the Match)
A towering presence at the back, intercepting and blocking Arsenal’s attacks. - CB: Santiago Bueno – 6.7
Decent defensively but struggled to contain Arsenal’s second-half pressure. - RWB: Nelson Semedo (c) – 6.6
Delivered a dangerous cross early on but faded as the game progressed. - CM: Andre – 7.2
Controlled the midfield well but couldn’t inspire a comeback. - CM: Joao Gomes – 4.9
Reckless challenges led to his dismissal, costing Wolves momentum. - LWB: Rayan Ait-Nouri – 6.7
Had a late chance to equalize but failed to beat Raya. - AM: Pablo Sarabia – 6.2
Missed a key chance and struggled to influence the game. - AM: Matheus Cunha – 6.8
Worked hard but lacked precision in the final third. - ST: Jorgen Strand Larsen – 5.6
Subdued performance before being replaced early.
Substitutes:
- Hwang Hee-chan (32′) – 6.8
Added energy but couldn’t find a breakthrough. - Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (75′) – 6.1
Struggled to make an impact. - Rodrigo Gomes (87′) – N/A
- Goncalo Guedes (87′) – N/A
- Tommy Doyle (87′) – N/A
Arsenal (4-3-3)
- GK: David Raya – 8.3
Made crucial saves, including a late stop to deny Ait-Nouri. - RB: Jurrien Timber – 7.6
Defensively solid and won the foul that led to Gomes’ red card. - CB: William Saliba – 7.6
Commanding at the back, ensuring Wolves didn’t find a way through. - CB: Gabriel (c) – 7.5
Led by example with key clearances and blocks. - LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6.0
Sent off for a dangerous challenge, leaving his team a man down. - DM: Thomas Partey – 7.6
Anchored the midfield effectively, breaking up Wolves’ attacks. - CM: Ethan Nwaneri – 6.1
Struggled to impose himself before being replaced at halftime. - CM: Declan Rice – 7.4
Energetic and came close to scoring in the second half. - RW: Gabriel Martinelli – 6.4
Quiet performance, offered little in attack. - CF: Kai Havertz – 6.7
Missed two big chances but worked hard off the ball. - LW: Leandro Trossard – 6.9
Provided excellent crosses but lacked consistency.
Substitutes:
- Riccardo Calafiori (46′) – 7.3
Scored the winner with a composed finish. - Kieran Tierney (87′) – N/A
Key Takeaways
- Arsenal’s Resilience:
Despite being reduced to ten men, Arsenal showed grit and determination to secure the win. - Wolves’ Missed Opportunity:
The hosts failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage and lacked cutting edge in the final third. - Calafiori’s Impact:
The substitute proved to be the difference-maker, showcasing his composure under pressure.
Conclusion
Arsenal’s narrow victory keeps them in the title race, while Wolves’ struggles continue. The Gunners will look to build on this hard-fought win, while Wolves must regroup to avoid slipping further down the table.
