When I originally put my name down for the report for this match, I was intending, as usual, to be in my place on the North Bank, even though 8pm on a Saturday night is far from my favourite time to go to a football match two hours from home. However, in attending an active health class (oh the irony), I managed to trap a nerve (the femoral nerve for those of a medical disposition) in my back which rendered me off games as my walking (and driving) is severely constrained while it heals. So I transferred my ticket to Trev, who had laid his healing hands upon me, but now will probably never talk to me again after I sent him to this dreadful performance late on a cold Saturday night. So I watched the TNT coverage from the sofa.
Before the game, most Gooners were predicting a goal fest for the Arsenal. Top vs bottom and Wolves with only two points, heading firmly towards being the worst premier league team ever. At last an easy game, we crowed. To add to this sense of superiority, we were at last getting players back from injury. The injury list at kick off was a relatively short one, consisting of Havertz, Gabriel, Dowman and Mosquera. Arteta picked a strong team, with a very strong bench and promised to go “full gas” from the beginning. Reader, he lied.
Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Zubimendi, Eze, Rice, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Saka
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Odegaard, Jesus, Trossard, Norgaard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Lewis -Skelly, Merino
It was a bit of a surprise to see Timber picked at left back over MLS, but he had played most of the game against Bruges mid week. Calafiori was suspended for this game.
So off we went and …nothing. The first half was undoubtedly our worst 45 minutes of football this season. Wolves of course went with a low block, just as expected (well what else could they do?) and aimed to hit us on the break. The game never found a rhythm, being broken up by Wolves players collapsing every time they were brushed by one of ours and the goalkeeper taking ages over each goal kick (again totally normal and expected), plus some pretty tenacious defending. Our passing was all awry, failing to find each other and, above all, being painfully, unacceptably, slow. Saka appeared to be our only true outlet for creativity and threat.
However we made chances. Timber missed a header and appeared to take it off Gyokores’s head. Martinelli managed to butcher an undefended header three yards out somehow. Saka beat his man and slid in a delicious low ball to Gyokores who was on his heels in the six yard box and missed a tap in. Martinelli had another chance but blazed wide. Even our corners were coming to nothing.
And it was from one on those corners, after 27 minutes, that found all ten of our outfield players within 20 yards of the opposition penalty area. Hee-Chan was loitering in his own half inside the centre circle and was found with a quick long ball and he was in and one on one with Raya. Three of our players chased him down but he still got his shot away, comfortably saved by Raya. The chase back had banjaxed Bennie Blanco’s hamstring and he came off for Lewis-Skelly who slotted in at left back, moving Timber to the right. Later, in another rare attack, Hincapie slipped, letting in Larsen, but he recovered well and blocked the shot.
A dreadful, dreadful half of football from The Arsenal. Wolves and their 3000 travelling faithful (and all credit to them for selling out their allocation late on a Saturday night to support this team) were ecstatic. Only Manchester City had kept us to zero goals in the first half this season. For those in the ground, I’d be interested to know what those on the terraces were saying. I can guess.
To my astonishment there were no changes at half time. And we continued in the same way, knocking in crosses and winning corners but all to no avail. We still had not had a shot on goal or forced a save. So on 60 minutes the cavalry were sent on. Trossard, Merino and Odegaard for Martinelli (who had a stinker), Eze (who was completely ineffective) and Zubimendi (who looked very pissed off at being hooked).
We began to look better. Trossard and Odegaard had shots saved or slipped just by. Then on 72 minutes we won a corner on our right. Saka took it and hung in a beautiful inswinging corner high to the back post. The Wolves keeper, Johnstone, clawed at the ball and finger tipped it onto the post, from whence it rebounded onto him and into the net. A comedy goal, reminiscent of Emi Martinez at Villa a couple of years ago. One nil to the Arsenal. Now, surely we would relax and put them to the sword?
No we did not. Instead we slipped into a low block of our own. From the 80th minute on I was imagining a late equaliser flashing into our net as we not only ceded possession to Wolves, but possession in our half. No semblance of a front press. Instead we put 11 men behind the ball and hacked it away only to find Wolves players. Jesus was brought on for the largely ineffective Gyokores. Then in the 88th minute it happened. Mane swung a cross into our area. Arokodare got in front of Hincapie and flashed it into our net. The nightmare of last season had happened again.
Now we started playing again. We poured forward and bombarded the Wolves net. In the 92nd minute we got the ball out to Saka on the right. He half beat his man and swung in a cross. Jesus challenged for it but Mosquera (the Wolves Mosquera) got his head to the ball and it flew in. Another own goal. Redemption. We managed to play out the remaining minutes and, somehow, had won. Three very valuable points after the Villa defeat but a truly awful performance.
Afterwards Arteta seemed genuinely angry, first at the missed chances in the first half and secondly at the supine way we tried to defend the 1-0 lead.
Saka was the stand out player for us by a long chalk. It’s difficult to pick out any other performances as being worthy of praise.
After a long run of games every three days, we seem to have picked up the habit of playing poorly (Chelsea, Sunderland, Villa, now Wolves). We now have a week off before we go to Everton next Saturday in another 8pm kick off. A week of working on the training pitch and trying to pick the right mix I the team to play against a low block. Because we will face many another in the rest of this season. We must play quicker with more pace and precision.
Sorry Trev. I know you stayed until the end, so at least you had the balm of a late winner to enjoy.
An excellent headline and report that sum up the game well, thanks C100.
It’s a shame about White’s hamstring as I thought he’d started to look his old self
in the last couple of games.
A tummy bug has confined me to bed today and I decided to try Sky’s multi- screen . I watched two serious title contenders win well away from home, the Spuds get walloped and a red- blooded local derby. All the games were way better than our one. We look totally gassed and C100 describes it very well . Only Saka and White while he was on provided any quality in the first half . The changes made a difference and once we got a lucky goal I expected us to run out comfortable winners . But we were supine, lethargic and there for the taking . I wish Gabriel Jesus had got his head to the winner but boy did we need that.
Arteta spoke about needing to keep training hard even with a spare week. I hope he is right . The most worrying thing was how poor Eze was ( he doesn’t look the same player he was at Palace ) and Gyokeres had an incredibly poor game but also our game management was very poor. I think we miss Gabriel in so many ways
Three very valuable points after the Villa defeat but a truly awful performance. You’ve nailed it, C100.
Thank you Countryman for a well-observed and accurately summarized report. That was a worrying performance indeed in many ways.
However, I feel confident that it was very much an aberration and maybe we will see one or two more such severely subpar team performance from us in the league. Hopefully we will be lucky enough to eke out results as well in those odd occasions.
What I think Arteta has been building towards is building a near “scientific” way of winning matches where the methodology is based on control, precision and then making every single advantage count. As little dependent on a single player or a single way of playing as possible. Which is what helped us navigate an injury ravaged season until now without ceding any grounds. The days when the fundamentals don’t click and the practiced connections don’t work the performances would look stodgy.
Eze and Gyökeres, two excellent performers with their respective previous clubs, are examples of players who are caught between their intuitive ways of playing and adjusting to the subtler and more methodical style of Arsenal. I expect both Eze and Gyökeres to start performing consistently in the second half once they get the balance right. Eze still seems unsure when to release the ball and when to hold on to. He should go more by his instincts and we should tactically be ready for the unpredictability and the occasional turnovers he will give away. We cannot expect him to be surgically precise as Saka or Martin in keeping control.
One thing I noticed was that how Viktor, who was completely anonymous in the first half, kind of came to life once Trossard came on. Liked the first time pass from Leo to Vik, who controlled, turned and almost scored. I have started to appreciate the nuances of Trossard’s game much more and even though I am a big Martinelli fan, I think a fully fit Leo attacking wise offers much more unpredictably and variation now.
The week long rest-and-recharge break arrived at the perfect time. We needed this, and hopefully Ben’s injury isn’t too bad.
I have always thought that this season is about us and what we can do, and I couldn’t give a hoot about what other teams do. We are where we are, top of the league and top of the Champions league having played some very difficult games and a lot of those without key players. But we do need to up the ante and start games more positively. Faster pace, accurate passing and movement and loads more goals. Come on the Arsenal!
Dr. F@4: Interesting observation about Trossard, Gyokeres and Martinelli. I guess Gyokeres likes to occupy the channel on the left-hand side, and Martinelli prospers most when he has that space empty to run into.
Something else that struck me during the game was that Rice could try shooting more when we have free kicks 20-30 metres from the opponent’s goal, especially while Gabriel’s aerial prowess is missing. The one he did try forced a fingertip save out of Johnstone. Most of his crossed free kicks from that distance were poor, as were, uncharacteristically, several of his corners.
C100, I have to strongly disagree with match report, you only said “dreadful” three times, it was way worse than that. I jest, your report was spot on. We had too many players turn in a 4/10 performance. Too passive. A fire needs to be lit under a few. I think we miss Big Gabby’s leadership. We have a week to get ready for the Toffee’s, a big improvement is needed.
Adrian Clarke on the game:
Thanks C100 and get well soon,
We were poor. A few things spring to mind.
1) Wolves were entitled to their low block. However, what they did redefined a low block – 10 players spread across the park within the 18 yard line with a lone runner to chase a long ball their only way out which nearly worked. Not easy to find a way through that crowd and a plan that other teams we have yet to face may copy.
2) They should have been reduced to 10 men. The foul on MLS was a red card all day long. No mention of that in some quarters.
3) Gyokeres is most dangerous running the channels and/or running in behind. No chance of that in the Wolves setup. I note that Wolves have conceded plenty this season when this version of their block was not effected. May have suited Viktor better.
4) Odegard always makes us play better so – maybe our team selection was wrong to start? How do we fit both Martin and Eze in together?
Anyway, three points and onward.
UTA.
Fair report. Superb headline.
That was a shockingly pedestrian performance and a frighteningly timid last 5 minutes of the 90. Another bloody hamstring – do we have a proper fitness regimen? Thank God for Saka and Lady Luck.
There were far too many subpar performances and we look far too lethargic barely half way through the season. This has to improve if we are going to get anywhere near our target silverware. Meanwhile White’s hamstring injury forces more shuffling of the defensive pack and imposes more game time on Timber.
We can’t get Gabriel and Havertz back soon enough.
The first half was so poor that I went back to bed. Was relieved to wake and find we’d won 2-1. There will always be games like this. We have a fantastic squad and every player will, one day, be available. Havertz and Big Gabi would add a great deal to any team in Europe. That we’re top of the two Leagues without both is quite something. I think in 20 minutes in two games, Jesus has given us an inkling of what happens when our stars can’t shine then suddenly reappear.
Our depth has evaporated, but I dread to think where we would be had we not strengthened the squad in the summer. Anyone turning up with their boots would have got a game.
It is concerning to read that Arteta said that playing Saliba for 90 mins against Wolves was a risk he had not been intending to take.
Thanks C100 for the report and the ticket !
The match was dire – I was surrounded by very pissed South Africans and Hungarians all experiencing an Arsenal game for the first time. Poor sods. But despite the cold and the quality of the football, it was great to be back amongst it again. Standing throughout was a pleasure as trying to sit through the match is still a test for the recently replaced knee.
Pleased to hear you’re recovering well from your recent problem – and looking forward to those on the spot reports once you’re match fit again.
Great to see Gabi Jesus back on the pitch again. My biggest wish for the match was too see him score one after almost a year out, so I’m personally awarding him the winner simply for challenging and forcing that second own goal. The feeling in the crowd was “serves them right” however it went in, for their feigning injuries and general time wasting. Looking at their team it was at least very obvious where all the pies went !
Cheers again, C100 ! Come on you Rreddsss !
Spot on report, C100. It must be said it was a bit cruel inflicting that game on Trev, though. What with his bad knees, surely he’s suffered enough! As Trev says, it was noticeable how many season ticket holders had passed on their tickets. For a Saturday evening with plenty of hours of pub opening pre-match it was a poor atmosphere, only outdone by the quality of the game. Since the superb Bayern performance we have, in every game, gained momentum in the same way a bus does when it drives off a cliff. We look more and more tired and less and less able to find solutions. We’ve been hideously unlucky with the injuries and that is a significant factor. Some of the new players though need to step up. Other clubs must be due a poor run soon. This week off is very necessary, and then we go again on Saturday, away to an Everton side without 2 of their best players.
Big Gabi’s on the way back!
https://bsky.app/profile/nowarsenal.bsky.social/post/3ma2fzlgtpc25
And so is Kai!
https://x.com/handofarsenal/status/2000649633157304377?s=61&t=cVFjCyGkt4y-Ne45LtfqkQ
Excellent news @15 & @16, C100, but hopefully they’re not being rushed back prematurely in response to recent tribulations.
C100 @15,16 – 👍🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻
Some interesting views on the Wolves game from Coach Mike
https://gunnerstown.com/arsenal/2025/12/16/some-but-not-all-positives-needs-hopes-ars-2-1-wol/
The leaderboard for Matchweek 16 in the GHF Predictathon has been posted. The leadership has changed again, as has the composition of the bottom three. A lot of chopping and changing in the middle of the pack, too. You know where to find it…
Thanks Ned ! “Below average “ ? That’s mean !
Trev@21: It is that or ‘mid-table mediocrity’. I should know. I am in the thick of it.
As a reminder, the Crowd represents the consensus opinion of all the players. So for a player to be above average in any matchweek, his score has to be beating that of the Crowd.
C100@19: Thanks for the link. Mike McDonald makes some good points about Ødegaard, Gyökeres, Eze and MLS, and especially about Ødegaard and Gyökeres as a pair. Well worth the read (as usual).
Ned @22 – I’m sure you realised that was my attempt at a maths joke …… not a complaint 😉
Thanks Ned and C100 for the update / links.
Trev@25: 👍
I just want to throw an interesting stat into the Gyokeres mix.
Goals after 14 Premier League games
Victor Gyokeres 4
Thierry Henry 3
Patience people.
Nice stat c100 😄
Some of the pile on for some players since the Wolves game has been laughably harsh.
Fair enough we didn’t play well and of course everyone is entitled
to their opinion but still it seems a bit ridiculous to me, world beaters one month,
hopeless duffers the next.
Time to break out the Rudyard Kipling, OM:
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same
Although the rarely repeated couplet that follows is perhaps more apt for our social media age:
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools
Three top observations @28, @29 & @30 gents, which is why this virtual hostelry is my primary resource for Arsenal-related content and common sense.
Superb contextualisation, C100. I don’t hear those harsh noises, OM, as I don’t consult the twattersphere or any other lair of bottom feeders. Kipling was very wise and that’s a great poem, Ned, though I fear that’s not a very politically correct statement any more.
I do fear for the future of humanity on its current general trajectory.
It sounds like Kai has had a setback in his recovery and won’t be seen until mid-January at the earliest. That gives the Gyökeres and Jesús time to nail down the CF position. Also sounds like we’ve decided to return the Clock End Lower to (safe) standing. Get Ben that both lower tiers behind the goals stand throughout every game, that hardly seems revolutionary.
@31 yeah, I suppose I shouldn’t but it was the arseblog comments where usually it’s not too bad. Sell Gyokeres in January and hope to get half our money back as a comment made me laugh out loud at the insanity of it all.
Anyway, it’s Chavski in the 2 leg semis if we get past Palace. I expect a much changed XI against Palace so no guarantees we’ll get through anyway.
We have indeed drawn Chavski which is probably the easiest draw we could get at this stage given the alternatives and the lack of the need to travel far for the away leg. I have much sympathy with Arseblog’s conflict over the pros and cons of winning the quarter final vs Palace. Que sera, sera. I certainly wouldn’t play Timber, Zubimendi or Saka and would consider resting Rice as well.
>>>>>>>