Roughly six months ago, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal ended the season with a 5-0 thrashing of Wolves. It was Granit Xhaka’s final game for the club and boy did he sign off in style. The Premier League trophy had already been handed over to Man City by then of course but the players didn’t let that stop them putting on a show for the Emirates faithful. Within 13 minutes, Xhaka had scored twice, before half-time, Bukayo Saka had made it 3-0. The second half produced two more goals, one from Gabriel Jesus, the other from Jakub Kiwior, his first for his new club.
Whilst all at Arsenal were probably feeling pangs of disappointment of being pipped to the title by Man City, Wolves were probably celebrating survival in the top flight once more because at Christmas, they’d looked one of the favourites to be relegated.
Wolves currently sit in 15th place but, they’ve beaten Man City and Totts and held both Newcastle Utd and Aston Villa to a draw. But, they’ve only managed to win twice on the road – at Everton and Bournemouth. Admittedly, they’ve been victims of poor officiating either on the pitch or off it with VAR and we of all fans know how that feels.
Gary O’Neil said Wolves’ controversial defeat to Fulham on Monday Night football had “finally turned him against VAR.
Maybe tonight [Monday] has finally turned me against VAR. I thought it would probably help but it doesn’t seem to be. I’m managing a big football club here – the difference you’re making to my reputation, the club’s progression up the league, people’s livelihoods is huge. It can’t be with all the technology, in the best league in the world, it can’t be OK. We should discuss the game really but unfortunately we have to discuss this.
Pretty much what Mikel Arteta said after the Newcastle game. Sky Sports have done the maths and reckon errors have cost Wolves 7 points this season:
How VAR has haunted Wolves this season…
August 14 – Wolves were wrongly denied a stoppage-time penalty on the opening weekend of the season in their defeat at Man Utd
September 23 – Luton were awarded a controversial penalty as Wolves were denied victory in a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road
October 28 – Newcastle were wrongly awarded a penalty in the 2-2 draw at Molineux after Hee-Chan Hwang was deemed to have fouled Fabian Schar in the box
November 4 – An independent panel reportedly unanimously agreed Sheffield United should not have been awarded a stoppage-time penalty in their 2-1 home win over Wolves
November 27 – Wolves boss O’Neil claims the referee admitted VAR should have advised him to overturn first Fulham penalty in 3-2 defeat at Craven Cottage. The Wolves boss is also unhappy Tim Ream was not shown a second yellow card and argues Carlos Vinicius should have been sent off for headbutting Max Kilman
Points lost: Seven
I’m still cheesed off with the point we were denied at St James Park so imagine how the folk at Wolves feel. It’s wrong, utterly wrong that so many errors are being made from the comfort of a warm office.
Man of the moment. From Arsenal.com
Arsenal will need to be at their best again because this Wolves isn’t the same one we battered last season. As we’ve seen above, big decisions have gone against them plus, they’ve done well against the so called bigger clubs in this league.
O’Neil has had a transformational impact on Wolves’ approach, turning them from a defensive outfit into one of the most positive sides in the division. Tactically, he is extremely flexible and has used five different formations since taking over, regularly switching between a three and four-man defence. Wolves have a balanced style, but creating turnovers they can profit from lies at the core of what they want to do. They are aggressive in the way they close down opponents, and no Premier League side has won more duels or regained possession as often as the Black Country outfit, who love to pack central areas.
From turnovers, Wolves are also excellent at countering with pace. Blessed with quick players out wide and in forward areas, they have had more shots from fast breaks than anybody else in the division. No team have completed more dribbles either, with Matheus Cunha their standout star in this department. The forward is very direct and will confidently run at defenders whenever he is inside the opposition half. Wolves are scoring far more freely, but on occasion that adventurous nature has seen them give away too many goals at the other end. Leaving themselves a little open at times, only a handful of top-flight clubs have faced more shots on their own goal.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s form:
I think there are more levels to come, I hope so. We have to continue to do a lot of the things we are doing well in games to earn the right to win, but I think we can still improve and be more consistent.
Everything seemed to click on Wednesday night and it was so enjoyable to see Mikel Arteta’s team blow Lens off the park but as he said himself, we can’t expect the same every week. Different opposition with different strengths and weaknesses, one of which we need to nullify, the other exploit. Mikel Arteta will have done his homework, we know that but then so will Gary O’Neil have. In their last game against Fulham, Wolves were happy to allow the home team 60% possession so I expect we’ll see even bigger numbers in favour of Arsenal today but it’s what we do with that possession which counts. Turning possession into goals win games.
One thing for sure this afternoon, it’s going to be cold. With Tomiyasu in talks over a new contract, it will be interesting to see who starts at right back, both he and Ben White are fit and available.
Higher up the field will it be Trossard or Jesus in the front three? Havertz is looking a bit happier, another goal or two will widen his grin even further.
In the long distant past on winter days mum would bring a Thermos flask full of hot Bovril for half-time.
Aussie Geoff says:
I’m hoping that Tomy signs a new contract, as he looks like he could be a very good player for the long term
Morning Cicero, Ben White I reckon as Tomi has played a few games now. Must be hard to rest/rotate any of the defence.
Cicero says:
I tend to agree about Tomiyasu, he’s only just got back to his best after a lot of setbacks. We shouldn’t risk him unnecessarily when we have Ben White available and raring to go.
Ha ha we couldn’t be more wrong. Raya, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Odegaard, Trossard, Saka,Jesus, Martinelli.
Limey says:
So Tomi stays at Right Back – he has been outstanding to be fair.
We have the Luton away game on Tuesday so maybe we will see some rotation then.
Today’s game will be tough,I don’t expect another 6 – 0 anyway!
COYG
I think it’ll be a tough one today too. Hope the 12th man is in full swing.
Joaquim Moreira says:
No Harvaetz in the line up.
As he never adapt to any place, it is easier to enter when someone is injured, shows tiredness or changes positions, even if he is in a “high” for finally having scored.
Cicero says:
One nil to The Arsenal. Saka assisted by Tomiyasu. 🔔
Good overall showing today. However, this recurrent tendency to over play this aesthetic football can be so counterproductive at times. The team was guilty of this on both sides of the pitch from players such as Jesus , Trossard, Nketiah, Zinchenko…..Consequently inviting undue pressure towards the end…the match almost turned into another Fulham earlier in the season.
Aussie Geoff says:
Just watched the highlights, we were unlucky to not have scored another goal or two, but happy with win and it sounds like no injuries. Zinchenko starting to make a few silly mistakes lately , hopefully he can fix them.
Morning all!
First…
No trophy though Jm.. lol
Morning to you and all.
Good morning Rico, Bom Dia JM.
One thing for sure this afternoon, it’s going to be cold. With Tomiyasu in talks over a new contract, it will be interesting to see who starts at right back, both he and Ben White are fit and available.
Higher up the field will it be Trossard or Jesus in the front three? Havertz is looking a bit happier, another goal or two will widen his grin even further.
In the long distant past on winter days mum would bring a Thermos flask full of hot Bovril for half-time.
I’m hoping that Tomy signs a new contract, as he looks like he could be a very good player for the long term
Morning Cicero, Ben White I reckon as Tomi has played a few games now. Must be hard to rest/rotate any of the defence.
I tend to agree about Tomiyasu, he’s only just got back to his best after a lot of setbacks. We shouldn’t risk him unnecessarily when we have Ben White available and raring to go.
Arsenal team news
Team to play Wolves:
Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Trossard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Substitutes: Ramsdale, White, Nketiah, Kiwior, Cedric, Jorginho, Nelson, Elneny, Havertz
Ha ha we couldn’t be more wrong. Raya, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Odegaard, Trossard, Saka,Jesus, Martinelli.
So Tomi stays at Right Back – he has been outstanding to be fair.
We have the Luton away game on Tuesday so maybe we will see some rotation then.
Today’s game will be tough,I don’t expect another 6 – 0 anyway!
COYG
Snap!! 😉
I think it’ll be a tough one today too. Hope the 12th man is in full swing.
No Harvaetz in the line up.
As he never adapt to any place, it is easier to enter when someone is injured, shows tiredness or changes positions, even if he is in a “high” for finally having scored.
One nil to The Arsenal. Saka assisted by Tomiyasu. 🔔
Er maybe we will get another 6-0
Two nil, Odegaard. 🔔🔔
Sounds like we’re playing really well. Not watching though..
Ronnie O’Sullivan through to the final 6 – 2.
Good, love Ronnie.
Twitchy bum time…
2-1
Phew!
Two one is still three points. 🔔🔔
A tough two games in three days, that can take it’s toll on teams.
I’m not complaining. 😂
Good overall showing today. However, this recurrent tendency to over play this aesthetic football can be so counterproductive at times. The team was guilty of this on both sides of the pitch from players such as Jesus , Trossard, Nketiah, Zinchenko…..Consequently inviting undue pressure towards the end…the match almost turned into another Fulham earlier in the season.
Just watched the highlights, we were unlucky to not have scored another goal or two, but happy with win and it sounds like no injuries. Zinchenko starting to make a few silly mistakes lately , hopefully he can fix them.
New post up.