Premier League

Player ratings as weary Gunners keep title hopes alive

Jakub Kiwior, Joao Gomes

Arsenal picked up a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday to climb back to the top of the Premier League table.

The Gunners looked tired after their Champions League elimination in midweek and needed a mis-hit strike from Trossard to get ahead of Wolves, before Martin Odegaard struck late on to seal all three points.

Arsenal end the day top of the Premier League after picking up a valuable win, with fellow title-hopefuls Liverpool heading to Fulham on Sunday.

How the game unfolded

Arsenal enjoyed most of the opportunities early on. Kai Havertz saw a shot saved inside the opening minute and Declan Rice fired in a few shots of his own, but Wolves managed to hold on for the time being.

Wolves did have their moments and even caused a real scare as Joao Gomes’ strike had to be tipped on to the bar by David Raya.

The hosts even looked to be ending the half on top but, almost out of nowhere, Trossard slashed at a loose ball which almost moved in slow motion as it drifted its way into the back of the net off the inside of the post. A perfect mis-hit.

Havertz sent another smart volley straight at Jose Sa as Arsenal tried to double their advantage early in the second half, but for all their dominance and comfort on the ball, the Gunners were slightly underwhelming in the final third.

Ben White also saw a strike well saved by Sa, although a late offside flag ensured it counted for nothing anyway.

Wolves built up their energy as the clock ticked on, injecting more experience off the bench and giving Arsenal a handful of nervy moments as they tried to protect their lead.

Thomas Partey came off the bench to replace Gabriel Jesus as Mikel Arteta made clear his plan for the final ten minutes of the game, with the Gunners happy to wind down the clock and protect their lead.

There was still time for Odegaard to slot home from a tight angle in the dying embers, capping off the perfect response to the heartbreak in midweek.

Jakub Kiwior, Joao Gomes

An exciting outing from Gomes / HENRY NICHOLLS/GettyImages

GK: Jose Sa – 6/10 – Could do absolutely nothing about Trossard’s opener, which he would have probably saved if the Arsenal man struck it properly.

CB: Santiago Bueno – 5/10 – Was kept busy against Trossard and didn’t always come out on top.

CB: Max Kilman – 7/10 – Actually really impressive but undoubtedly fortunate to stay on the pitch for more than 35 minutes after a crunching challenge on Havertz.

CB: Toti Gomes – 5/10 – Given the run-around by Saka and had to resort to hugging the Arsenal…

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