Report: Arsenal 1-0 Wolves
Arsenal might have let the points slip at the death last week but it was during that same time today that Wenger’s men grabbed victory by its horns.
The Barcelona showdown had robbed Arsenal of much commitment and energy coming into this weekend, so a straight-forward task in the league on Saturday would be very welcomed.
Wolves were just not straight-forward. Mick Mccarthy’s men had Arsenal toiling for the break-through all day and looked to have succeeded until Bendtner headed home in the last minute of injury time.
Three points off the leaders and a point behind second-place with five games to go, Arsenal will remain the outsiders of this three-horse title race but you just do not discount this team.
There might have been tired legs from Wednesday’s European exertions but Arsenal were raring to play today in the wake of United and Chelsea’s early meeting. And the latter’s win meant Wenger’s men could follow up this topsy-turvy race with a result today.
As usual, Arsenal were at business from kick-off. Theo Walcott weaved his way into the Wolves box after cutting in from the right, before chipping the ball back across goal where Eduardo forced goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann into a fine, one-handed reaction save.
Wolves defender Michael Mancienne charged forwards and let fly from 25 yards, but the effort was just off target.
Arsenal went close again when Rosicky pulled the ball back through a crowded six-yard box to find Eduardo, but the Croatian could only stab the ball wide as he lost balance.
Walcott then released right-back Bacary Sagna on the overlap into the Wolves penalty area, and his shot was blocked by Hahnemann. After 15 minutes, the French defender was in again, this time sliding to hook the ball to Emmanuel Eboue, whose attempted backheel hit his trailing leg.
Arsenal continued to press, with Walcott testing Hahnemann with a 20-yard snap-shot after the ball dropped to him from a corner. Although it continued to be one-way traffic, Wolves remained solid.
Rosicky created some space for himself on the edge of the area, but could only fire his shot high into the stands, while Denilson then drilled a low effort wide and Mikael Silvestre tested the Wolves goalkeeper again.
Arsenal maintained the pressure at the start of the second half as Silvestre flashed a low centre across goal.Alex Song collected the ball 30 yards out and charged forwards, only to blaze his shot wide.
As the hour mark approached, Rosicky cut in from the right and fired a low, angled drive goalwards, which Hahnemann was again behind.There was still a threat from Wolves, though, as winger Matthew Jarvis flashed a couple of dangerous balls into the Arsenal six-yard box.
After 66 minutes, Wolves captain Henry was shown a straight red by referee Andre Marriner for needlessly going through the back of Rosicky, who was facing his own goal in the centre-circle.
The Czech midfielder needed treatment to his calf, but was soon back on the pitch and forced Hahnemann into another good reaction save before Bendtner stretched the American with a looping header.
Rosicky cleared off the line as Sol Campbell deflected the ball towards his own goal following a Wolves corner.Walcott stabbed a close-range effort wide during five minutes of stoppage time.
Then, just when it seemed all over, Sagna whipped the ball into the six-yard box where Bendtner arrived to bullet a header past Hahnemann as the Emirates Stadium erupted.
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Ha..ha..its a late late show yet again!….Bendtner!!!
ok…i admit..he has played the game and has shut me up…he has given my heart relieve…BUT..OK ILL KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT…FINE,HE SHUT ME UP….GO ARSENAL
Phew that was close, but how the hell did we miss that break away at the end 5 versus 1!
ask Denilson. He’s the 1 who didn’t score the golden chance.
yesssssssssssssssssss.fuck yessssssssssssssssssss…..my man BENDTNER!! HAHAHAHAH…..KARLOS…..RANDY….LOFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
You predicted we would win 3-0 or 4-1. Nice to see your crystal ball was right again. Or was it?
Almost fell off my chair when the ball when into the net!…LOL
Only Arsenal cant score a 5v1 chance
DKD, don’t be too hard on yourself,mate.
i think we played well but walcotts finishing really needs to improve although he was a star performer in the game sagna was amazin but something was missing in our team tday was it the decisiveness o0f diaby we missed or was it that we’re feeling tghe abscence of cesc gd entertaining game but we really shudn’t win a game this scary and frightening but yess
RANDY…that was before the line-up…Kidz i nearly knocked the tv down the stairs and made 1 of my guests shit his pants!!
great fighting spirit wh’d be motm for u guys of course bendtner for me but i think it was the creativity of nasri that made things work
Usama…really that serious??..ha..ha..ha..its so funny!
Karlos, match reaction please….!
I hope McCarthy will feel like the match day ball has been stuffed right up his A*se!
Nick has grown up. Arsenal gives football the value of time in every game. They keep the fans frustrating for 90 minuts and giving a blast of relief and delight then. Curious how long we keep this fight.
Hey, what is wrong with 1 – 0 to the Arsenal? It worked for me for many a year, but we did have a better defense back then
Rosicky is almost all over the place. Very high work-rate..Had a good game overall trying to link up play, creating openings and a couple of decent goal attempt.
That’s all I wanted to hear, kidz! Made my day!
I ddin’t watch all of the game (rough night out with the boys)!
Glad we are still fighting till the end!
Go Arsenal!
wat a game but very wary of the games we have next if we forget barcelona, we have spuds and man shitty after difficult but man city is a must win for revenge on both ade and manm c if we have arshavin and van persie back tht game i see ourselves in gd form does nyone know who chelsea are against so they cn drop points
I wish the boys would stop leaving it this late! It’s not good for my young nerves! But a win is still a win! Get in there ya goons!
Here are some points i’d like to make:
First off, this game has really pointed out that something is wrong with Eduardo. It’s either he needs more games, or it’s the formation that’s not working for him. But in my opinion, it’s a little bit of both. With a proper pre-season (yes, i’m discounting the chances of him contributing something this season), i hope he regains that scoring/assisting instincts of his.
Secondly, Theo’s showing his potential that’s been hindered by injuries. I think he’s growing into a first-teamer as each game goes by. Although it must be said that he tends to fade away in the latter parts of the game. But let’s give the lad some chance. I think he’ll do us wonders next season if his form continues to improve.
And finally, I think Wenger made a mistake in fielding Eboue on the left. I’ve nothing against the man, he’s come leaps and bounds after that booing incident, but a left midfielder he is not. I would’ve opted for Vela on the left instead. But then again, I’m not the coach, am I? :p
Overall, the game highlighted the mental strength of our players. This is the much needed “grit” we’ve been missing in the past, and it’s nice to see the team developing a never-say-die attitude. Let’s hope that they don’t stop this mentality up until the final match of the season.
Up the Gunners!
Oh ye of little faith.You are not a ghost until you are dead.Keep the faith.
This old guy gets more and more nevous as these brilliant young guys leave it late week after week. My nials are down to the quicks!!!! Wish they would find a quick goal!! But a win is a win and three good points are in the bag. Thanks guys for a tremendous effort anyway.