Arsenal vs Wolves PLAYER RATINGS: Who is experiencing a 'sea-change' in their form? How did the new signings get on? And which 5.5/10 superstar looked 'tame'?
- Arsenal kicked off the season with a comfortable win but some stars struggled
Mikel Arteta prepared his Arsenal stars for any threat by hiring pickpockets last season and there were few signs of Wolves pilfering a point at the Emirates.
A first-half header from Kai Havertz eased the tension and set the sails on course for a comfortable 2-0 victory - and their 17th win out of 19 Premier League games in 2024.
Wolves came out hunting in the second half and at times pinned back the Gunners, but they hardly had a glance of goal against a cast-iron defence.
When Arsenal needed a hero to wrap up the job, who else but Bukayo Saka, the force of nature who had assisted Havertz before blasting home the second late on?
Here are Mail Sport's player ratings from the game.
Arsenal grabbed their first goal of the campaign as Kai Havertz met Bukayo Saka's cross
Saka rose to the occasion after 74 minutes when they needed to put the game beyond doubt
Wolves put in a combative display but were outplayed by a side superior in quality and flair
Arsenal (4-3-3)
David Raya - 6
Was sometimes stationed so high as a sweeper that he should have brought a broom. Rarely troubled but he reacted so well to save a goal-bound header from Strand-Larsen.
Ben White - 6
Snapped at a couple of half-chances - you'd think he was roleplaying as Joe Gomez. Showed plenty of attacking impetus but failed to properly test Sa with a couple of half-volleys. All the same, with an energetic display, showed why it is a shame that England cannot call on him.
David Raya had little to do but was reliable when called on and pushed high as a sweeper
William Saliba - 7
So strong. Snuffed out a promising counter-attack by Doherty like he was swatting aside a fly. Made multiple tackles and clearances and towered tall when Wolves went long-ball. Nothing to suggest this defence can't be the best in the league once again.
Gabriel - 6.5
Threw his ribs in the way of an early shot and needed a moment to catch his wind. Once again, looked an absolute menace from set-pieces, having scored against Lyon in the Emirates Cup and been part of a record-equalling 16 goals from corners in 2023-24.
William Saliba was a strong presence at the back for Arsenal and composed on the ball
It was not Oleksandr Zinchenko's finest audition for the left-back slot - not lots to shout about
Oleksandr Zinchenko - 5
One of the shakier performers among the Arsenal team today and that is not ideal with Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Jakub Kiwior, and Takehiro Tomiyasu all aiming down their sights at the left-back spot. A limp, wayward cross before the break summed up his afternoon, but to his credit he generally nullified Hwang. Hooked for Jurrien Timber with 20 to go.
Martin Odegaard - 5.5
Mostly hushed for 70 minutes until he fizzed a crackling shot at Sa, earning a corner. Other than that, besides a nice backheel to Havertz, this was a tame performance. Nominated for PFA Player of the Year this week and for good reason but struggled with Wolves' physicality.
Martin Odegaard struggled to impact the game as Wolves went in hard with the tackles
Thomas Partey - 6
One critic commented online that Partey is a shadow of his former self, but that Wolves had so few chances coming through the middle is a testament to the quiet work of Partey, who was always in the right place at the right time and won the majority of his duels. Had a couple of scary moments in the second half where he lost the ball close to home. Flashed a shot wide when he should have hit the target.
Declan Rice - 7
Had licence to get forward and acted as a good option to recycle the ball to in the final third if a team-mate reached a dead end. Also had a few surging runs into the box to make himself an option but without reward. Workmanlike.
Bukayo Saka - 8.5
A constant live wire and big-moment-grasper, as you'd expect from a man who contributed 34 goals and assists last season. Roared into life from the early stages and never stopped. Beautiful cross for Havertz's goal. Blasted home a venomous strike for his 59th Gunners goal. When Mikel Arteta needed his man to step up under the cosh, he rose to the occasion. Received a standing ovation as he went off.
Declan Rice submitted another workmanlike performance and was an option going forward
Havertz imposed himself on the game and it only took him 25 minutes to open his account
Kai Havertz - 8
Took him 10 games to score last season but only 25 minutes here with a powerful header. What a sea-change it has been for the German since those gloomy days of arrival. Was the lynchpin of the front line, the conduit through which so much flowed, and took the fight to Wolves with enough pressing and elbows out of possession. Does also take home the gong for worst shot of the match.
Gabriel Martinelli - 6.5
So composed on the ball, a flickering agent of chaos, and sometimes it felt like he was in his own space-time continuum, so hard was he to touch. Nearly finished a sweet move at the end of the first half after jinking inside with a deft flick.
Gabriel Martinelli was the quietest of Arsenal's front three but a constant threat on the left
Saka was the star of the show with a goal and an assist, the reason Arsenal won the game
Manager - Mikel Arteta - 6.5
Got the job done. This was not a vintage Arsenal performance but his side were largely in control, fashioned enough chances, and limited the visitors to a couple of clear-cut chances. Interesting to see what he does going forward regarding left-back, left-wing, and the number six position.
Substitutes
Jurrien Timber (on for Oleksandr Zinchenko, 69) - 6
Leandro Trossard (on for Bukayo Saka, 80) - 6
Gabriel Jesus (on for Declan Rice, 85) - N/A
There are questions over a few positions going forward for Mikel Arteta, especially left-back
Wolves (4-2-3-1)
Jose Sa - 6
Commanding to deal with Arsenal's corners. Could have committed to reaching Havertz quicker for his header but would have expected more from his defenders. Nothing he could do about Saka's formidable strike.
Matt Doherty - 5.5
Had an early chance and should have done better, hitting Gabriel, but it showed Wolves' intent that their right-back was pressing high. Had his work cut out against Martinelli and coped respectably.
Yerson Mosquera - 7
Involved in an inflammatory moment where it looked as if he was choking Havertz, but then he toppled over and got away unpunished. Turns out the guy had just been off balance and needed a neck-shaped crutch. Generally good. Snuffed out the threat from Martinelli with a slide tackle timed like clockwork towards the end of the first half. Stepped into the sizeable boots of the recently departed Max Kilman.
Yerson Mosquera looked as if he was choking Havertz but it turned out he had just been losing his balance
Toti Gomes - 5.5
Lucky that nothing was given when he tumbled, all flailing limbs, into Saka in the box. In another season that could have been a penalty; not so with this brave new era of less intrusive VAR. Hacked down Havertz later and was duly booked.
Rayan Ait-Nouri - 6.5
Locked horns enthusiastically with Saka, sometimes asserting himself and other times coming up short in a blur of feet. Could have scored a cracking goal from range but his strike was always bending wide.
Toti Gomes was lucky not to give away a penalty when he brought down Saka in the first half
Joao Gomes - 7
A warmongering midfield performance and did well to smother Odegaard at times. A wild lunge on Martinelli in the first half saw Jarred Gillett brandish a yellow card and from there he was on a tightrope.
Mario Lemina - 5.5
Uncompromising in the challenge but could have given away a penalty for how he tousled with Havertz early on. Left Saka with way too much time to cross for Havertz's opener. Otherwise he was a fearsome presence and doubled well as a midfield enforced and back-against-the-wall defender.
Mario Lemina generally performed well but was partly at fault for the first goal
Joao Gomes put in a pugnacious display and had to be careful after going in the book
Rodrigo Gomes - 5.5
Earned a few gasps when one of his crosses flirted with the near post, but it floated over. Was back with more showmanship in the second half as he attempted an unnecessary overhead kick when he could have controlled it, winning a corner.
Jeanricner Bellegarde - 6.5
Curled a worrying free-kick over the bar from 25 yards which had Raya scrambling. Looked a real sparkplug in the midfield and against less stern opponents could be one to watch.
Jorgen Strand-Larsen provides hope for Wolves and thrust himself into the physical battle here
Hwang Hee-chan - 5
Almost forgot he was playing at times, but it was always going to be a suffocating experience against last season's most miserly defence. Whipped in a potent cross for Strand-Larsen which almost saw Wolves equalise.
Jorgen Strand-Larsen - 6.5
Arrives on loan in a team who have been parched for goals for a good few years, though last season was an upgrade. Threw himself into every challenge and looked combative enough. Nearly nodded home a stunning diving header in the first half.
Gary O'Neil's system did well to stifle Arsenal at times and there are positives for them to take
Manager - Gary O'Neil - 6
Set up his team to be compact and aggressive and that was evident in a stoic performance. Complained in the build-up about working with limited resources but off the basis of this performance, Wolves will be fine.
Substitutes
Matheus Cunha (on for Jeanricner Bellegarde, 57) - 6
Daniel Podence (on for Rodrigo Gomes, 75) - 6
Pablo Sarabia (on for Joao Gomes, 84) - N/A
Craig Dawson (on for Rayan Ait-Nouri, 84) - N/A
Chiquinho (on for Jorgen Strand-Larsen, 84) - N/A
