FA PREMIERLEAGUE

ARSENAL 2 (Saka 6, Odegaard 13)

WOLVES 1 (Cunha 86)

ARSENAL looked imperious for the first 15 minutes against Wolves, scoring two brilliant goals and looking odds on to net five or six.

But the match ended in a frenzy with fans pleading for the final whistle.

After the explosive start the Gunners chose to play around with their prey rather than going for the jugular.

Fans shivering in extreme cold – it was minus 1 at the Emirates today – watched what was almost walking football for an hour before Cunha’s goal set up a frantic finish.

After the match Arteta said: “I can only praise the players. They were excellent.

“We played against a really good side and generated so much and conceded almost nothing.

“The scoreline should have been very different. We were very unlucky because we hit the post three times I think.”

It is almost a certainty that come the business end of the season Arsenal fans will be ruing a devastating late equaliser or defeat in a match that should have been easily put to bed.

That said Arsenal fans have a lot of celebrate right now – top of the league, and putting in consistent performances.

Arteta seems to have found a position for Trossard to start in.

The midfielder, who has played  on the wing and at front, started his second game in a row in the Granit Xhaka / Havertz attacking central midfield role.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has got his mojo back after the malaise that set-in after last season’s mistakes against Man City.

Ben White may find himself struggling to get back into the first team.

Captain Martin Odegaard seems to have recovered from his lay-off and was back to his usual energetic self pulling the strings in midfield and charging down defenders.

Bukayo Saka – scintillating on the wing once again – opened the scoring after bamboozling two markers with some superb footwork.

He confidently buried the opener after a one-two with Tomiyasu.

Odegaard capped off a wonderful crisp first time passing move – in which Zinchenko was pivotal – to make it 2-0 with just 15 minutes played.

For the second time in three days at the Emirates a match appeared to be over before most of the fans had digested their pre-match burgers.

It looked as if it might be a repeat of the incredible 5-0 half time scoreline against Lens in the Champions League on Wednesday.

But the Gunners took the foot off the gas after the second goal.

Wolves seemed glad for the respite more than sensing a chance for a fightback.

Martinelli – with just one goal on the league this season – hit the post after a rapid transition from defence to attack.

Jesus had also gone for goal with Declan Rice screaming for a pass that would have given him a certain goal.

There’s a hint of desperation about Jesus and Martinelli right now, with both Brazilians struggling to get on the score sheet this season.

On Martinelli – who has just one goal in the league this season – Arteta said: “I think he’s been unlucky in certain moments. Today he had two big chances as well. The contribution he has in the team is immense.”

The visitors came out in the second half with a higher tempo.

It felt like the next goal was crucial – either goodnight or game on.

In the second half Saka smashed a long range dipper that whistle just over the top corner.

Eddie Nketiah hit the post after being put through one on one.

Rice was once against brilliant at powerfully intercepting play and breaking up counter attacks.

Zinchenko – perhaps the Arsenal player most likely to dilly-dally on the ball – was at fault for the Wolves goal. He took one to many touches before Cunha found himself with a clear strike on goal.

He smashed it past Raya, filling the stadium with anxiety.

There was a nervous VAR check on a potential handball by Gabriel with a few minutes to go.

But all’s well that ends well, and the fans left happy and ready to enjoy the weekend.

Arsenal: Raya, Tomiyasu (White 79), Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenk0, Odegaard (Jorginho 93), Rice, Trossard, Saka (Kiwior 93), Jesus (Nketiah 67), Martinelli (Havertz 77). 
Subs not used: Ramsdale, Soares, Nelson, Elneny 

Wolves: Sa (Bentley 23), Kilman, Dawson, Gomes, Semedo, Traore, Dovle (Kaladjzicat 93), Bellegarde (Sarabia 63), Bueno (Doherty 62), Cunha, Hee-Chan
Subs not used: Silva, Chirewa, Whittington, Hubner