Arsenal Win vs Wolves Despite Disgraceful Discipline

In a matchweek where both United and Spurs dropped points, it was vital for Arsenal’s Top 4 hopes that we went to Molinuex and got 3 of our own; and that’s exactly what we did.

Mikel Arteta – 7.5

Good line-up. Alright tactics. Great adjustment. Not much more to it really.

Aaron Ramsdale – 8

He only really had to make one shot-blocking save, however his efforts were required much more to snuff out crosses. The Englishman organised the defence well and was a vital part of bringing home that clean sheet.

Kieran Tierney – 8

Tierney’s renowned attacking style wasn’t as present in this game as winger Gabriel Martinelli dominated the left wing for most of the 90 minutes, however the Scotsman still played well. Although he was sometimes caught out of position, he made Wolves work to get every ball into the box, not giving anything up easily.

Ben White – 8

This was another good performance from Ben White, living up to his price tag once more. He was essential in keeping a clean sheet – he won the ball various times from an attacker’s feet, he blocked shots and cleared any crosses that were sent his way.

Gabriel – 9

He shared a similar performance to his English counterpart. Gabriel was prolific in the air and on the ground, proving once more how sturdy of a CB he really is. Great positioning and awareness resulted in him scoring the goal which brought the 3 points back to the Emirates. As a duo with Ben White, the pair boast 11 clean sheets in 19 Premier League starts.

Cedric – 7

I’m still not completely sold on Cedric. Personally, I much preferred Callum Chambers at RB and even now I would rather we line up with Holding in CB and White at RB. Multiple times throughout the game he would drop beneath the defensive line and play the opposition onside. He would also get caught out of position at times and lose out to the Wolves wingers’ too often. Despite this, he did enough to earn a clean sheet and that’s all you can really ask for.

Granit Xhaka – 8

In all honesty, I wasn’t completely sure if Xhaka was playing as a CDM in a 4-2-3-1, or if he was a CM in a 4-3-3. Regardless, he still had a good game. The Swiss international wasn’t as involved in proceedings as we have seen recently but he checked the boxes in this match, including an essential flick header to lift the ball over Roman Saiss and out for a throw in, denying the Moroccan a sure goal from only a few yards out.

Thomas Partey – 8

Partey didn’t have the busiest game as well but there were times when he came up big for the team. He broke up multiple Wolves counter attacks and even disrupted Wolves play in general, winning the ball many times in the middle of the pitch. The Ghanaian even managed to get into advanced positions and look to cause trouble up front too.

Gabriel Martinelli – 4

Simply unexplainable. I wasn’t aware that two yellow cards could be given within a passage of play where advantage was called but I know now and for all the wrong reasons. The manner in which he got the first yellow card – what was he doing? Did he think he was playing basketball and thought he'd contest a jumpshot? You can’t practically push someone trying to take a throw in. Nevertheless, you can’t hip and shoulder someone on a counter attack. If the rule is legitimate, then referee Michael Oliver got it right in my opinion. Although he was a menace on the left wing and looked like Arsenal’s best player, the lack of discipline docks him of multiple ratings.

6 games in 2022. 4 red cards.

Martin Odegaard – 8

It took Odegaard a bit of time to get a feel for the game but once he did he was at the heart of every attack, pulling the strings and directing play. This isn’t to say the Norwegian held the ball for vast amounts of time either – his quick, 1 or 2 touch passes unlocked the Wolves defence multiple times and were the foundations for many of Arsenal’s attacks. I only question at sometimes whether, instead of passing out wide, he could get the ball onto his favoured left foot and have a shot at goal.

Bukayo Saka – 7.5

Saka was another player that didn’t see an awful amount of the football but when he did he made sure to make the most of it. Whether it was dribbling at defenders and beating them with pace or just combining with Odegaard to get down the wing, the Hale End graduate played well with the opportunities he was handed on the pitch.

Alexandre Lacazette – 4

Lacazette had a decent game. He held up the play well, as usual. He linked the attack up well, as usual. Yet when a striker, no matter their role or playing style, is in behind the defence and 1 on 1 with the opposition goalkeeper, they are fully expected to score. It is simply inexcusable for Lacazette to not even hit the target. This isn’t the first time either – there have been multiple moments in the Frenchman’s time at Arsenal where he finds himself in behind with only the keeper to beat and misses the target. As much as he does for this Arsenal team, a striker is there to score goals: if you don’t score easy chances, you’re not doing your job and you shouldn’t be played. Simple as that. With Eddie Nketiah on the bench however, I’d rather keep Lacazette on.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Emile Smith Rowe – 6.5

The Smith came on for Odegaard in the 68th minute in a bid for new legs to bolster the Arsenal attack but was told after a minute to sit back and defend the lead following Martinelli’s red card, restricting his influence on the game.

Rob Holding – 8.5

He came on in the 71st minute for Bukayo Saka as Arteta transitioned the team in a 5-back formation. Holding was simply amazing. Dealt with crosses, won tackles, blocked shots – everything you could ask for and more.

Eddie Nketiah – 4.5

Don’t get me wrong, he was on the pitch for 14 minutes and clearly didn’t have any chances of getting forward. It was obvious his assignment was to hold onto the ball yet it seemed like Arteta had told him to in a completely foreign language. He was awful. Nketiah could not keep the ball whatsoever: even in the final minutes when he was in the corner and tasked with winning a throw in or getting fouled or even just retaining possession in any way, he kicks it straight to Jose Sa, the opposition goalkeeper. Absolutely awful. I have minimal faith in his abilities for the remainder of this season. Minimal is being generous.

MAN OF THE MATCH:

Gabriel – 9

Clean sheet. Goal. Couldn’t have won without him.