ARSENAL have beaten Wolves 2-0 to go back to the top of the Premier League table.
The Gunners took the lead after Leandro Trossard’s superb strike just before half time.
Martin Odegaard made sure of all three points with a 95th-minute finish from the tightest of angles as Mikel Arteta’s side put pressure on title rivals Manchester City and Livepool.
- Match result: Wolves 0-2 Arsenal
- Wolves team: Sa, S. Bueno, Kilman, Toti, Doherty, Traore, Joao Gomes, H. Bueno, Doyle, Hwang, Chirewa
- Arsenal team: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Havertz, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Jesus
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London calling for Gunners
It is going to be a massive week in Arsenal’s push for the Premier League title.
They face Chelsea at The Emirates next before they go into a crunch North London derby against Tottenham.
Their fierce rivals would love nothing more than to derail their chances of winning the league.
Credit: Getty Gunners learn from last season’s heartache
Arsenal fans will be hoping that Mikel Arteta’s side learnt a lot of lessons from how they threw away the title last season.
They need to show some grit and steely determination if they are going to force Man City into making an error.
That started today at Molineux, a pivotal game they needed to win after last week’s defeat against Aston Villa.
Rice perfect side for title takeaway
Declan Rice was voted the ‘man of the match’ at Molineux this evening.
Even as the game went into added time, he making lung-bursting runs forward trying to get his side another goal.
He was heavily involved in Odegaard’s goal and put in a talismanic performance for The Gunners.
Gunners take big stride in title race
Arsenal find themselves one point clear of Man City now.
More importantly, they will play anotheer game before the defending champions are back in action.
That means they could be four points clear by that stage.
Credit: AFP FT: Wolves 0-2 Arsenal
It was a dominant performance from Arsenal and although they struggled to create chances at times, they did enough for the victory.
Arteta will see this as a big win after two defeats as they have managed to stop the rot.
If they are to stand any chance of winning the title, they are likely to need five wins from their remaining games.
FT: Wolves 0-2 Arsenal
The referee brings the game to a close.
It is a big win for Mikel Arteta’s side in the title race.
Arsenal are top of the Premier League table once again.
Wolves 0-2 Arsenal
90+6. As Arsenal push forward, Rice finds Odegaard wide in the box.
He looks to cut the ball back but it is blocked.
The Norwegian retains the ball and whips a left-footed shot into the back of the net from a tight angle.
Goal – Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
90+4. Rice gets down the byline and putting a teasing ball into the box that is put behind for a corner.
As they work another short one, Rice shoots from some distance but Jose Sa beats the effort back out.
Wolves are struggling to hold onto the ball now.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
90+2. Lemina wins the ball off Gabriel in a wide position and is fouled by the centre back.
He has caused some problems for Arsenal since his introduction.
Saka cuts inside from the right and weaves his way into the box but his right-footed shot goes high into the stands.
Chance to put the game to bed there.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
90. It looks like time is running out for the hosts.
Arsenal will be looking to hold onto their clean sheet now.
If they do, it will be another three points in the bag for The Gunners.
We are going to have six additonal minutes.
Credit: AFP Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
88. Raya comes out of his box to intercept the ball.
He controls it before trying to punt the ball downfield but slices into the crowd.
The is probably the biggest cheer from the home fans so far this evening.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
86. Lemina is receiving some treatment as he was clattered by Raya as he came to catch the ball.
The last Gary O’Neil needs now is anymore injuries.
He is walking gingerly but seems able to continue.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
84. Odegaard is penalised for a foul deep in his own half.
Chance for Wolves to get some players forward.
The ball is lofted into the box and too close to Raya who comes off his line to gather.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
82. As we move into the final ten minutes of the match, this game is still finely poised.
Wolves are growing in confidence and trying to ask more questions of Arsenal defensively.
Ait-Nouri is dispossessed out wide and felt he was fouled but the referee is not interested.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
80. Wolves start playing some crisp, passing football.
They work it from one end of the pitch to the other.
Sarabia looks to drive a cross into the box but it is well gathered by Raya in the Arsenal goal.
Partey comes on for Jesus for the visitors.
Credit: Getty Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
78. The visitors counter with pace as red and white shirts stream forward.
Saka clips a cross into the box which is met by the head of Havertz.
The defender does well to control it on his chest and volley the ball clear.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
76. Doherty looks to whip in a cross but it deflects behind for a corner.
O’Neil uses the break in play to bring on Ait-Nouri and Sarabia for Chirewa and Doherty.
The cross comes in and it is half-cleared by The Gunners.
Traore tries his luck from distance but that is never going to trouble the keeper as it sails well wide of the target.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
74. Gary O’Neil is readying some more changes for the hosts.
While they are well clear of the bottom of the table, Wolves are still looking to get something out of this game.
Nerves will set in a little more with Arsenal as we get to the closing stages of the game and they still only have a slender lead.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
72. Lemina cuts onto his left foot and gets a shot away but Raya saves.
Arsenal go straight up the other end and White drills a shot that Sa saves with his feet.
The flag then goes up for an offside that occurred sometime in 2024.
Trossard is replaced by Martinelli for the visitors.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
70. The referee awards another free kick to The Gunners.
Boos and jeers ring out from the stands as they feel the referee is giving everything the way of the visitors.
Arsenal will be keen to protect what they have now.
Credit: Getty
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
68. The hosts are starting to see more of the ball in Arsenal half now.
As Wolves try to play the ball out from the back, Jose Sa almost gifts the ball to Havertz.
Fortunately for O’Neil’s side the German cannot get it under control.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
66. Saliba and Chirewa have a coming together just outside the box.
The Wolves’ player was looking for a free kick for the challenge.
Paul Tierney was not interested at all.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
64. While this stays at one-nil, Wolves are still in this game.
The stats would show that Arteta’s side have controlled this game but they really need to kill the game off.
Otherwise they leave themselves open to the sucker punch.
Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
62. Jesus goes down as he is caught in the mouth with a hand.
The referee immediately awards the visitors another free kick situation.
While there was minimal contact with the player, the way he was rolling around on the floor holding his face was almost laughable.
Maybe that could be a trophy option in the future, the first Arsenal player to be awarded an Oscar.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
