Arsenal player ratings: Gunners’ angel Gabriel breaks goal drought against Wolves as Xhaka and Partey stutter on returns

ARSENAL broke their duck but then had to cling on for victory against Wolves at Molineux.

The visitors finally scored for the first time since New Year’s Day courtesy of centre-back Gabriel.

Gabriel poked home from a corner for Arsenal’s second goal of 2022Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

His namesake Gabriel Martinelli collected back-to-back yellowsCredit: PA

But they were put under relentless second-half pressure after another of Arsenal’s Gabriels – this time Martinelli – was given his marching orders.

Mikel Arteta’s side dug in for a win that now sees them in pole position to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League.

Here’s how SunSport’s Tristan Barclay rated the visiting Gunners at Molineux.

AARON RAMSDALE – 7/10

Largely untroubled in the first-half as he took a regulation catch from a decent Raul Jiminez header.

Leapt back to his feet expertly to deny Romain Saiss in the second as 10-man Arsenal found themselves under siege.

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CEDRIC – 6

Lucky not to be among the booked before the break after he felled Daniel Podence.

Little impact deputising for Takehiro Tomiyasu at right-back.

BEN WHITE – 6

Regularly looks solid at the heart of Arsenal’s defence but gave away an early foul on Podence in a dangerous position.

Headed back into the danger zone from Gabriel Martinelli’s corner to set up his partner Gabriel’s goal.

Ben White looked solid at the backCredit: Reuters

GABRIEL – 7

Scored Arsenal’s first goal since New Year’s Day when he slotted home from Martinelli’s corner.

Less assured in the second-half as he struggled to get to grips with the newly-introduced Chiquinho.

KIERAN TIERNEY – 7

His long throw-ins were put to use a couple of times and he proved to be a typically willing runner to overlap Martinelli on the left flank.

THOMAS PARTEY – 6

Looked off the pace on his return from suspension. Booked just after the half-hour mark for hauling down Trincao on the halfway line and bungled a shot from range after the break.

Thomas Partey was among four Arsenal players bookedCredit: AP

GRANIT XHAKA – 5

Also back in the side after suspension and appeared to spend most of his time at Molineux trying to arrange his next one.

Booked on the stroke of half-time after taking a handful of Trincao’s shirt.

BUKAYO SAKA – 7

Bamboozled the Wolves defence with an excellent run late in the first-half to set up a chance for Alexandre Lacazette.

Unfortunate to be subbed off when Arsenal went down to 10 men.

MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7

Took a first-half whack on the ankle from Saiss, which sparked fury from Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.

Metronomic passing in midfield and determination in tracking back to help out in defence.

Martin Odegaard took a nasty knock on the ankleCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7

It was all going so well. The right-footed wonderkid was sharp with his set-piece delivery and bright with his inverted runs down the left.

Then threw a temper tantrum to pick up two yellow cards in little more than two seconds.

ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE – 6

Tussled with Sa to keep him off the ball and pave the way for Gabriel to bundle home.

But when it came to his turn in front of goal, he fired well wide with Arsenal a man down and under pressure.

SUBS

Smith Rowe on for Odegaard – 7 One barnstorming run forward but was mostly called on to press with Wolves in possession

Rob Holding on for Bukayo Saka – 6 Brought on to shore up the defence after Martinelli’s red

Eddie Nketiah on for Lacazette – N/A Little time to make an impact

Alexandre Lacazette fired wide in the second-halfCredit: Getty

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk