Arsenal 2 – 0 Wolves: Match Thoughts And Individual Analysis

Was this the Wolves side that beat Manchester United!? Arsenal made them look like lame ducks. This was a solid display from all the players on the pitch and the only complaint, if one wants to be churlish, would be that the Gunners scored only two goals.

I must say the approach taken by the visitors was bit of a pleasant surprise. They were perfectly willing to come into the Arsenal half and play with a high line. It made our job that much easier. In attack we got plenty of space and in defence we faced only one trick – cross and hope.

The Gunners started brightly. Van Persie had a couple of attempts off target in the fifth and sixth minutes. After that the game slowed down for the next ten minutes or so. Wolves got a fair share of possession in that period but didn’t have any quality in the attacking third. Arsenal defenders did a good job of defending the wings and the midfield provided the required support.

At that point I was a bit disappointed we hadn’t made better use of the space in behind but I have a feeling the players were being a bit cautious and patient in this one. I also got the feeling that RvP and Cesc were still feeling the effects of their midweek illness and weren’t playing at their best.

The first goal did come when a ball was finally played in behind. We got a bit of luck that the defender played it out because the attacker, I think it was RvP, was offside and we would have conceded possession if the defender had let the ball go. Cesc was allowed plenty of time and space on the ball as he collected it down the right channel from the throw and came back inside.

It seemed to me that Robin wanted the ball played over the top to the back post. Fabregas tried that with his left foot but didn’t get it right. Van Persie did well to check his run and smashed it home on the swivel with his right. A bit of fortune about that goal but it’s something we see all big teams get. In any case it still needed a top class finish.

Soon after Arshavin delivered a good set piece and Djourou almost got on the end of it but could only win a corner. From the resulting corner Arshavin missed an open net as the ball came over the Keeper who’d misjudged the flight. It seemed the Russian wasn’t expecting it to come to him. Not what we expect from someone of his quality but it happens.

Arsenal’s best chance of doubling the lead came around the half hour mark. Wilshere found Arshavin with a trademark chip. The Russian squared it for Walcott whose shot was brilliantly saved by the Keeper. Fabregas’ follow up was cleared off the line. Wolves got a bit of luck and also deserve some credit for the save and for getting enough bodies back.

With five minutes or so to go, Wolves had a good shout for a penalty when Djourou tried a tackle inside the box. At Molineux we might have seen it given but Chris Foy seemed intent on letting the game flow as was seen a minute later when Arshavin was denied a penalty at the other end.

The final chance of an eventful half came in injury time. Song did brilliant to drive to the box and found a delightful pass for RvP. The Dutchman’s strike across goal was saved by Hennessey’s outstretched leg.

The second half started just where the first had ended. This time it was Wilshere who drove into the box and set up an open goal for Theo. The winger could only conjure a terribly annoying shot wide off goal.

In the next minute it was Wilshere again who got into the box and his cut back for Song was deflected to Van Persie on the edge of the box. Once again the finish was miscued.

The next 10-12 minutes were even as Wolves showed better ball control and Arsenal retreated into their half. Neither side was able to create an opening but many Gooners must have been a bit nervous. The commentators made me tear my hair out with their cliché-ridden utterances. On a quick side note, can I sue these guys if I go bald prematurely?

The second goal cushion came in the 56^th minute. It was an amazing Arsenal goal. The ball was played out from the back by one touch passes from Sagna, Djourou, Wilshere, Song, and Cesc, who pinged it into space for Theo to run onto. Walcott squared it for Van Persie, who was flirting with off-side, and the Dutchman picked up his ninth Premier League goal in five games.

One could sense that the Gunners were a bit more relaxed after the second goal. They created a number of opportunities, some were missed and others were saved. At the other end Szczesny was rarely troubled. He had to tip over a header from Djourou from a corner and Ebanks-Blake fired a shot over. I can’t recall any other attempts at the Arsenal goal.

Individual Performances

Szczesny: Not really troubled. Dealt with the aerial balls when he had to.

Sagna: Made Jarvis and Hammill look fairly ordinary. Did well defensively but should have shown a bit more composure while crossing.

Djourou: Immense. Used his height and physical strength to dominate the aerial balls. Excellent composure on the ball. Held the strikers off well in one-v-one moments.

Koscielny: Read the game well. Provided Clichy the extra support he needed when a striker or midfielder made a run in behind. I liked his no-nonsense style and the way he wasn’t afraid to knock the ball out for a throw.

Clichy: Not as solid as Sagna but did well down the left.

I liked the way the defenders maintained their composure and dealt with the aerial balls without any panic. There were one or two moments of miscommunication between Djourou and Szczesny but it wasn’t a big deal. It was a defensive performance that proved Arsenal have been keeping clean sheets in the new year on merit.

Song: Supported Sagna on the flank. Stayed close to the defence when the team dropped back. Held off pressure and moved the ball intelligently. Picked his forward forays wisely.

Cesc: Very dominant when on the ball but not close to his best. I guess he was still feeling the effects of his illness. Passing was pretty good by normal standards but not his own.

Wilshere: Excellent on the ball. Made some penetrating forward runs. Deserved at least one assist from this game.

The midfield ensured the team never lost shape or gave the opponents too much room in attack. They also made vital contributions in attack. The Song-Wilshere combination gets my vote for MotM.

Walcott: was always a threat. Two good shots that drew excellent saves, one terrible miss, one assist. On another day he’d have scored but I don’t think he deserves any criticism. Credit to him for making the right runs, for using his head when on the ball, and for doing his bit in defence.

RvP: Two excellent goals as Van Persie makes up for lost time. I was not convinced he was fully sharp and focussed. Could have scored more with better concentration and finishing.

Arshavin: Good game from the Russian. Worked hard in attack and defence. Got in behind on  a number of occasions. Unlucky not to pick up an assist.

The front three were effective and threatening but could have done better.