ARSENAL facing Wolves RIGHT NOW as they aim to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.Gary O’Neil’s Wolves lost 3-2 at Fulham last time out, while the Gunners ran wild in the Champions League with a 6-0 win over Lens.
And Mikel Arteta has made one change from the victory midweek, bringing in Leandro Trossard for Kai Havertz.
Kick-off: 3pm
Arsenal XI: Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Trossard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Wolves XI: Sa; Dawson, Kilman, Toti; Semedo, Doyle, Traore, Bellegarde, H. Bueno; Hwang, Cunha
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Follow ALL of the latest updates from the Emirates below…
First half facts and figures
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 31 Premier League matches when leading at half-time.
After another dominant first half at the Emirates, that’s a run unlikely to end this afternoon.
Half-time – Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
The Premier League leaders go in at the break two goals to the good, having caught Wolves cold twice in the opening 13 minutes.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were the men to find the target for the Gunners, who could have increased their lead through their trio of Gabriels – Martinelli, Jesus and Magalhees.
It’s been a difficult afternoon so far for the visitors, who have also lost goalkeeper Jose Sa to injury.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
45+4. Hearts in Arsenal mouths momentarily as Cunha skips around Gabriel inside the box and then goes down.
The defender isn’t happy with his compatriot either, accusing him of diving, and replays show that the he’s got a point.
VAR take a quick look and promptly agree with Gabriel’s assessment.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
45+3. Jesus races through, and has options to his right.
Instead, the striker decides to go directly for goal, but his effort at Bentley is weak and comfortably claimed.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
45. The fourth official holds up the electronic board to signal seven minutes of stoppage time.
In other words, we’re heading for another post-5pm finish.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
44. David Raya has had little involvement in the first half, and so throws in some excitement with a loose touch when controlling a backpass.
Well, how else will the Raya/Ramsdale narrative continue this week if the goalkeeper has had nothing to do?
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
42. Kilman is given the green light to continue, and will be keen to make it through until half-time at the very least.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
40. There’s another pause as Kilman receives treatment, who took an accidental whack to the face when challenging Gabriel during that last Arsenal attack.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
39. Another Arsenal chance goes begging!
Saka’s curling inswinger from the right (you know the one) has Gabriel on the rise, but the defender is unable to make full contact with his header.
Emerging behind the defender, Jesus tries to mop up without success.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
37. Martinelli hits the post!
A fine move from right to left sets up the Brazilian with a chance to shoot, only for the winger to plant his right-footed effort against the frame of the goal.
Following up, Rice steers a low long-ranger a yard wide of the target.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
35. Rice seizes upon a loose pass from Toti, and bursts to the byline in order to fizz a cross into the box.
Seconds later, and as impressive as Rice’s attacking play, is Martintelli’s desire to track back and dispossess Bellegard.
Mikel Arteta has got his side playing total football.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
33. Now a teasing free-kick from Doyle in the deep has the home defence all of a panic.
It curls through a crowd of players, and almost – almost – ends up on the head of Toti at the far post.
However, the Wolves man fails to connect and the opportunity passes.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
31. And finally some Wolves pressure.
A cross from the left is too high for Hwang, but Cunha manages to retrieve it on the far side of the penalty area and let fly with a shot that was blocked.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
29. Wolves are beginning to find their feet in the game, enjoying their best spell of possession so far.
The Old Gold were slow starters at Craven Cottage on Monday night too.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
27. Arsenal regain possession after a corner comes to nothing, and leads to Martinelli attempting a flamboyant 360 degree spin on Kilman inside the penalty area.
The Brazilian makes it about three quarters of the way around before losing his balance, but it only goes to show the confidence oozing through Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
25. That enforced change for the visitors hasn’t interrupted Arsenal’s flow.
The league leaders continue to pour forward, and bring half-hearted penalty appeals when Martinelli’s shot crashes into the body of Kilman.
With the home fans still claiming for a handball, Trossard reacts quickest with a shot that is also blocked by some desperate Wolves defending.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves – Wolves substitution
23. Sure enough, Gary O’Neil makes the change.
Jose Sa departs and indicates that the problem is with his back as he makes it to the touchline.
Former Brentford and Bristol City stopper Dan Bentley has the thankful task of taking over in the Wolves goal for what is his first Premier League appearance this season.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
21. Wolves’ reserve goalkeeper Dan Bentley is warming up, and I think we’re about to see a change between the sticks for the visitors.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
19. Jose Sa appears to have an issue, and is moving very gingerly.
I’m not sure if the Wolves goalkeeper will be able to go on for much longer, although shows real bravery here to throw himself at the feet of Trossard, who thought he was about to make it three.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
17. Almost 50% of the game has been played in Wolves’ defensive third so far.
In fact, the visitors have only made it into Arsenal’s defensive third twice, and have yet to touch the ball in their opponents’ penalty area.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
15. Gabriel Jesus’ role so far cannot be overplayed.
The striker may not be hitting the target, but he continues to do so much for the team in attack and he links the play, makes space for other and creates opportunities.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
13. Martin Odegaard makes it two, finishing off a one-touch masterclass!
Declan Rice switches the ball wide to Bukayo Saka on the right, and although the forward’s cross is overhit, Oleksandr Zinchenko races forward to keep the attack alive.
The left-back then plays an electric one-two with Gabriel Jesus to cut the Wolves defence open before cutting back for the captain to power in from 15 yards.
It’s two! It’s sensational! Is it game over?
It’s two!
Arsenal 1-0 Wolves
10. The visitors are completely pinned in here.
Apparently, they have had 38% of the possession in the opening ten minutes but I’ve no idea how.
Arsenal 1-0 Wolves
8. Normal service has immediately been resumed with the home side pushing and pressing.
Wolves need to get a grip here and quick otherwise the game will be beyond them before long. More