ARSENAL BEAT WOLVES 2-0 AWAY TO GO TOP ON LEAGUE TABLE BY ONE POINT

Arsenal put their Champions League disappointment firmly in the past to beat Wolves at Molineux and move back to the top of the Premier League.

Having blown their chance to leapfrog Pep Guardiola’s side six days ago by losing at home to Aston Villa, then been knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, it was a welcome triumph for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Leandro Trossard’s strike in the last minute of the opening period may not have been the most eye-catching of the Belgian’s career but it was perfectly timed.

It came at the end of a half where Arsenal seemed to have got stuck after a bright start and nearly fell behind to Gary O’Neil’s injury-ravaged side.

The visitors dominated the second half too but were unable to carve out the clear chances that would have allowed them to take the game out of reach.

Captain Martin Odegaard added the second deep into stoppage time at the end of the game, turning in from a tight angle after his initial cross had been blocked.

The result means Arsenal are now a point clear of City, with a better goal difference but having played a game more.

They have the chance to apply some significant pressure to the defending champions when they entertain beaten FA Cup semi-finalists Chelsea on Tuesday.

Tired Wolves’ winless run continues

Wolves’ efforts were recognised positively by fans who stayed behind their team throughout – but when the season draws to a close, how much will they regret allowing Championship Coventry to overturn their injury-time lead in their FA Cup quarter-final at Molineux last month?

A Wembley semi-final this weekend would have lifted a season that has turned into a grind for O’Neil’s squad, who were superb for the first two-thirds of the campaign but now seem affected by a lack of energy and bodies.

Joao Gomes forced David Raya to push his angled first-half effort on to a post and substitute Mario Lemina tested the Arsenal keeper with a second-half shot.

But they were sporadic moments of attacking invention, with Wolves’ best performers being defenders, particularly captain Max Kilman and Toti, who were outstanding at the heart of the home side’s rearguard action.

On-loan Tommy Doyle was industrious for Wolves.

However, they have now gone six games without a win in all competitions, their longest run since the end of the 2021-22 season.

Chairman Jeff Shi has repeatedly stated the club did not bring in reinforcements during the January window because he was not prepared to risk breaking the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. However, the feeling will linger that the decision cost Wolves and O’Neil a realistic shot at a top half finish.

Kesh Awefada

Kesh Awefada

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