Playing for 90
Fansided

Wolves v Arsenal: Controversy Sparks as Wolves end Nine Men Arsenal’s Unbeaten Streak

By Megan Garbutt

Arsenal's French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 2, 2021. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 2, 2021. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Arsenal
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

It goes without saying that this was certainly a game of two halves and one that will be talked about for a long time for many reasons. Arsenal comfortably took control of the game for the majority of the first half, with Bukayo Saka having a hattrick of chances on goal, the second one finding the back of the net but being ruled offside.

Nicolas Pepe found the back of the net in the 32nd minute after some brilliant work in the box and put the visitors 1-0 up in a game that at the time, seemed to be controlled comfortably by the team in red and white.

The game was turned on its head when David Luiz was shown red and Wolves received a penalty in the last minutes of the first half following contact between the defender and newly signed Wolves striker Willian Jose.

The second half continued to cause problems for Mikel Arteta’s side when Joao Moutihno scored a 30-yard screamer to give the home side the lead and 20 minutes later, Gunners keeper  Bernd Leno was shown a straight red for making contact with the ball with his hand outside the box.

There are plenty of talking points to take from its game and I’m going to discuss a few of them…

Bukayo Saka shines yet again for Arsenal

Despite the sour result for Arteta’s side, one of a few stand out players who shone in the first half was youngster Bukayo Saka. After missing the game against Manchester United at the weekend, it was exciting to see him back in the starting line up and he certainly showed us what we were missing in the 0-0 draw on Saturday.

The youngster created a hattrick of chances during the first 20 minutes of the game, with one going in the back of the net but unfortunately being ruled offside. His first chance came within minutes of the first whistle blowing,  where he found himself hitting the inside of the post.

He also made 6 crosses into the box and continue to proves how much of a threat he is in front of goal, which is something the team can certainly take as a positive going forward.

Saka also made 21 accurate passes which was certainly evident throughout the whole team during the first half, with the football played looking so effortless and accurate.

The Academy Product continues to shine for the Gunners game after game and his performance is certainly a highlight to take from a disappointing result

Home/Arsenal FC