Wolves
Match Thread: Wolves vs Arsenal
Our Missing Man
By Wolves
February 2 2021
Playing Arsenal this evening will, no doubt, remind fans of two awful facts - when we played at the Emirates we lost the services of our striker Raul Jiminez through a horrible injury, and it was our last victory away from home.
Having moved into the second half of this wretched season with a loss away to Crystal Palace, we now face a week with two very challenging home games, seeking a first win since December. But at least we now have a recognised and experienced striker leading the pack since the arrival of Willian José, and we have not lost any more of our squad during the transfer window. As always Nuno is reluctant to give out too much information regarding injuries within his squad, but it seems Rayan Ait-Nouri will still be sidelined with a hip injury, but Romain Saiss may be able to start. Ruben Neves sat the game out at Palace just before his wife gave birth to their third child in Portugal, which may have been a contributory factor to his absence, so he is likely to start this evening.
Arsenal were in a pretty poor place when we won at the Emirates, but have pulled themslves together and taken 17 of the 21 points on offer since then, offloading several players and bringing through some exciting youngsters. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is back in training with them and young Bukayo Saka (who scored in their win at Molineux late last season) is also likely to return from injury.
Teams below Wolves such as Newcastle, Burnley and Brighton have started picking up points so it is eseential for Wolves to do the same to avoid being dragged into the mucky end of the league. A point against Arsenal may be seen as acceptable but we surely must aim for all three, involving positive performances throughout the team.
The match will kick off at 6pm, and will be screened on BT Sport 1. Our referee this evening will be Craig Pawson.
This board will carry regular updates on the progress of the game, and members are encouraged to post their own observations for the benefit of those unable to otherwise follow it.
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StumbleuponMatch Thread: Wolves vs Arsenal
Discussion started by Wolves , 02/02/2021 17:02
Wolves
02/02/2021 17:02
02/02/2021 17:02
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:02:13:20:01:12 by Cheshire wolf.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:02:13:20:01:12 by Cheshire wolf.
Two changes for tonight's starting eleven with Dendoncker and Hoever being replaced by Neves and Traore. I can only gues that Adama will play at right wing back with Semedo once again at left wing back, with Podence and Neto up front with Jose. Nuno has only named eight subs, and Saiss isn't amongst them!! Line-up:
So... Nuno admits he is playing four at the back with Max Kilman at left back
Glenn Hoddle keeps saying how Nuno is wrong to revert to a back four. He doesn’t seem to realise we have three left backs who are all injured!! He & Rio Ferdinand only seem to know that Raul is out injured!! Muppets
And again, Patricio saves us after Semedo is beaten with ease
Kilman shaky early on too
Kilman shaky early on too
Saka’s third attempt hits the back of the net, but is disallowed as Lacazette was offside. A lucky break indeed but very worrying that Saka was unmarked on the edge of the area.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:02:02:18:11:11 by Cheshire wolf.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:02:02:18:11:11 by Cheshire wolf.
Wow - another let off, great Sako finish, useless defending ..... offside 😂
Is the luck with us tonight as Kilman goes close after a corner
Is the luck with us tonight as Kilman goes close after a corner
Kilman heads just over from a corner. Wolves break well again through NS, but DP loses control. Joao gets an early yellow card for a poorly timed foul on Lacazette
Good electric break by DP. Adama needs to wake up and join the game. Good headed effort from Boly from a corner but wide. Partey is a force for A’nal in midfield &links well with Saka
NS brings a save out of Leno from distance after a good press. DP follows up to get a corner. We’re trying to play a high line & press when we can.
Brilliant save from Patricio onto the bar ........ keeps us in it again
Great save by Rui to stop a shot from Pepe after really good play by Smith Rowe. DP breaks out but a dreadful pass to lose possession
Pepe scores after some real weak Semedo defending
Arsenal deserve their lead. FFS
Arsenal deserve their lead. FFS
Saka falls over looking for a pen after Boly gets the ball. Corner. Another corner well cleared.
Pepe beats NS & Neves all ends up, forces his way into the area and scores
Wolves 0 Arsenal 1
Pepe beats NS & Neves all ends up, forces his way into the area and scores
Wolves 0 Arsenal 1
It’s as though all the penalties given against us this season has made our players scared to challenge in the area!
What a totally Sh&t decision from the ref, gives a throw when it should have been a corner.
We do have a corner ...... comfortable for Leno with a dangerous Arsenal attack, Rui collects there
We do have a corner ...... comfortable for Leno with a dangerous Arsenal attack, Rui collects there
We’re getting plenty of corners but they aren’t reaching our players in decent positions. Neto earns another corner - he is playing very well. Neves takes a shot but it goes softly to Leno
Some decent and sustained attack from us for a 3-4 minute spell but Arsenal still look the most dangerous when going forward
Into last minute of the half. Willian Jose has hardly touched the ball
Two added minutes. Good run by Adama but he smashes it into the stand. DP feeds Jose & he’s brought down by Luiz who is sent off. Penalty to be taken by Neves and he takes it perfectly
Wolves 1 Arsenal 1
Wolves 1 Arsenal 1
Half time whistle and all square but Arsenal down to 10 men. That’s probably the only way we can beat such a good team to be fair. Would have preferred to see Jose get a goal but happy for them to be one player short.
Partey & Saka have been excellent for them, & Pepe took his goal really well. In fairness we have struggled, but Neto & DP have always gone forward positively which led to our penalty.
Wolves 1 Arsenal 1
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:02:02:19:03:18 by Cheshire wolf.
Partey & Saka have been excellent for them, & Pepe took his goal really well. In fairness we have struggled, but Neto & DP have always gone forward positively which led to our penalty.
Wolves 1 Arsenal 1
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:02:02:19:03:18 by Cheshire wolf.
Despite being 1-1 and Arsenal being dominant it’s a much more positive attitude from our players, willing to press forward and, low and behold, more forward passes. If we can manage ourselves better at the back we could spring a surprise.
Arsenal provided a football lesson to us for long period but with a combination of our good fortune and some decent goalkeeper the match is turned on its head.
Definite penalty and whilst David Luiz didn’t scythe Willian down, it’s the law and off he goes. Couldn’t happen to a nicer player. Can’t stand him. Great spot kick form Neves.
We could, likely should, be 3-0 down and yet it’s 1-1 and we have a man over. Got to love football sometimes but I think they’ll be very stiff opposition even with a man down. They had our full backs on toast far too many times that half.
UTW .... fingers crossed!!
Definite penalty and whilst David Luiz didn’t scythe Willian down, it’s the law and off he goes. Couldn’t happen to a nicer player. Can’t stand him. Great spot kick form Neves.
We could, likely should, be 3-0 down and yet it’s 1-1 and we have a man over. Got to love football sometimes but I think they’ll be very stiff opposition even with a man down. They had our full backs on toast far too many times that half.
UTW .... fingers crossed!!
Gabriel replaces Lacazette. Wolves start positively & Adama gets us another corner. Cedric breaks& Neves brings him dow getting a yellow card
A screamer from Joao Moutinho gives us the lead. Fabulous goal
Wolves 2 Arsenal 1
Wolves 2 Arsenal 1
Good run by Neto stopped by Gabriel. Adama has loads of space up the righ5 wing & hits it far too hard over Jose
Arsenal defence & midfield are trying to play over the top of our defence toget Pepe or Saka in. So far they’re hitting it too hard. Good defensive play by CC & Neves to renew Bellerin. Partey pushes NS over then catches the back of his head with his boot.
Aubameyang replaces goal-scorer Pepe
Aubameyang replaces goal-scorer Pepe
Great play by Adama & good effort from Vitinha. Our lads are working really well now
Donk being prepared to replace Neves which I just don’t get except that he’s on a yellow card
Jose let’s a thunderbolt go but straight at Leno. Sheffield Utd leading 2-1
Leno handles outside the area with Adama close by & is sent off & Arsenal are down to 9 men!! Confirmed by VAR free kick to Wolves just outside their area. Donk on for Neves. Runarsson the sub goalkeeper replaces Partey. We now need to maintain our lead!!
Neto makes another super run into their area which is cleared. All Wolves now as it should be. Adama getting down the wing but he can’t seem to find Jose. Corner to Wolves comes to nothing. Ten minutes plus AT to play
Neto makes another super run into their area which is cleared. All Wolves now as it should be. Adama getting down the wing but he can’t seem to find Jose. Corner to Wolves comes to nothing. Ten minutes plus AT to play. Adama puts a perfect ball over for Jose but he fails to connect. Wolves slowing it down & trying to maintain possession whilst Arsenal are defending in a block of two fours
Into the last minute Aura & Saka have shots but both blocked. Joao is MotM. Fabio Silva replaces Willian Jose for the 5 minutes of Added Time. Nervous times
Another corner wasted. Vitinha fed by Neto but screws it hopelessly wide. Into last minute
All over ans we win unbelievably and complete the double over Arsenal!!! A superb goal from Joao Moutihno to win it for us, and amazing that they had two players sent off to help. We failed to make any progress after the second red card, perhaps not having the confidence to do so, but a good desperately needed three points.
Wolves 2 Arsenal 1
Wolves 2 Arsenal 1
Desperate for a win and got one. That's the main thing.
I really wish we would give up on a back four, at least for this season. Arsenal have hit the woodwork twice (albeit the one a good save) and a goal disallowed, correctly so but it was down to their player getting careless and caught offside more than our defending. Defensively this has papered over the cracks.
Until the last ten minutes the standard of crossing was awful.
Penalty decision was probably correct as Jose was denied a scoring chance but clearly accidental and shouldn't have been sent off, and I'm saying that as someone who hates Luiz. If it had happened at the other end I would have been fuming.
Great goal from Joao.
Fantastic to get a win at last, however we did it, which as I said is the main thing and hopefully a turning point.
I really wish we would give up on a back four, at least for this season. Arsenal have hit the woodwork twice (albeit the one a good save) and a goal disallowed, correctly so but it was down to their player getting careless and caught offside more than our defending. Defensively this has papered over the cracks.
Until the last ten minutes the standard of crossing was awful.
Penalty decision was probably correct as Jose was denied a scoring chance but clearly accidental and shouldn't have been sent off, and I'm saying that as someone who hates Luiz. If it had happened at the other end I would have been fuming.
Great goal from Joao.
Fantastic to get a win at last, however we did it, which as I said is the main thing and hopefully a turning point.
What an incredible match. We had good fortune throughout to be honest, from Saka hitting the post in the first minute, the general way in which Arsenal pressed and had our two FBs in rings, their offside goal (which I thought was offside from the the first moment) and then our penalty (great ball from Podence and lovely run from Willian) and the sending off for a player who I have no time for at all. Despite my dislike, I think it’s a harsh sending off but it’s the rules .... and I was delighted.
Great spot kick from Neves only to be outdone by a simply sensational winner from Moutinho ..... a player who I thought more likely to be dropped after Palace. Good job it’s Nuno in charge, not me.
We played pretty well against ten, then an inexplicable rush of blood to Leno’s head and another definite sending off. Easy -peasy for the ref. Then 15-20 minutes of keep ball with that one mini scare late on.
I’m not too worried we didn’t muller them with the two man advantage, of course it’d have been lovely to do so but keeping possession and ensuring the win was so incredibly important to stop the rot in its tracks.
At last 3 points, the last being on 15th December. That’s a very long time to wait.
Thought Neto played really well again, Moutinho did too as did Boly. Patricio made some really important first half saves, however it is difficult to assess that performance as a whole such is the bizarre nature of the match. Bizarre and utterly fantastic!! First Arsenal double for 42 years!!
A turning point for us? Not a ‘beating Palace in the cup turning point’, but a real life turning point? Hope so this time.
UTW!!
Great spot kick from Neves only to be outdone by a simply sensational winner from Moutinho ..... a player who I thought more likely to be dropped after Palace. Good job it’s Nuno in charge, not me.
We played pretty well against ten, then an inexplicable rush of blood to Leno’s head and another definite sending off. Easy -peasy for the ref. Then 15-20 minutes of keep ball with that one mini scare late on.
I’m not too worried we didn’t muller them with the two man advantage, of course it’d have been lovely to do so but keeping possession and ensuring the win was so incredibly important to stop the rot in its tracks.
At last 3 points, the last being on 15th December. That’s a very long time to wait.
Thought Neto played really well again, Moutinho did too as did Boly. Patricio made some really important first half saves, however it is difficult to assess that performance as a whole such is the bizarre nature of the match. Bizarre and utterly fantastic!! First Arsenal double for 42 years!!
A turning point for us? Not a ‘beating Palace in the cup turning point’, but a real life turning point? Hope so this time.
UTW!!
Quote:Andy Fincher
Desperate for a win and got one. That's the main thing.
I really wish we would give up on a back four, at least for this season. Arsenal have hit the woodwork twice (albeit the one a good save) and a goal disallowed, correctly so but it was down to their player getting careless and caught offside more than our defending. Defensively this has papered over the cracks.
Until the last ten minutes the standard of crossing was awful.
Penalty decision was probably correct as Jose was denied a scoring chance but clearly accidental and shouldn't have been sent off, and I'm saying that as someone who hates Luiz. If it had happened at the other end I would have been fuming.
Great goal from Joao.
Fantastic to get a win at last, however we did it, which as I said is the main thing and hopefully a turning point.
According to Peter Walton (retired ref) on BT Sport Andy the decision to send Luiz off was totally correct because he made no effort to play the ball. If he had of done and caught Jose giving away a penalty it would have been yellow!! Madness as players will just injure strikers in order to try a7 avoid a red card!!
I do agree re: papering over the cracks, however I think the defensive four was a good decision after Saturday when Ayew beat Semedo on our left wing to get it Eze to score. I don't suppose he was happy playing there and of course there is no-one else!!
A difficult game to try and analyse so I’m just so pleased to celebrate getting three points.
Must be a superb morale lift for the team.
Must be a superb morale lift for the team.
If that's the rule, fair enough.
I can't agree with a back four though, Chesh. The three was instrumental in the success of the last three seasons and for all we've struggled of late, we made the best start to a Premier League season we've ever made this season with a three. We look much more solid and unless we get players in who can play in a back four, I may be on my own, but I hope we don't play it again. Alas, we will.
I can't agree with a back four though, Chesh. The three was instrumental in the success of the last three seasons and for all we've struggled of late, we made the best start to a Premier League season we've ever made this season with a three. We look much more solid and unless we get players in who can play in a back four, I may be on my own, but I hope we don't play it again. Alas, we will.
Glenn Hoddle very strongly agreed with your opinion Andy, I think Nuno’s problem with it at the moment is having all three recognised left wing backs injured. I have absolutely no doubt that when Jonny is fit to return it will be to a back 3/5. I think it may depend on how tonight’s defenders feel about the formation when Nuno decides how to line up against Leicester on Saturday
Just as a follow-up, Arsenal have appealed against the sending off of Luiz, but their appeal has been turned down by the PL. Happily the sending off of Jan Bednarek by Mike Dean at Man Utd has been overturned.
Quote:Cheshire wolf
Just as a follow-up, Arsenal have appealed against the sending off of Luiz, but their appeal has been turned down by the PL
Whilst it, IMO, was a harsh sending off, it’s the rules, like it or lump it. Did he mean to do it? I think unlikely but to be honest David Luis is a car crash of a defender and if he goes running behind an advancing forward player waving his hands in the air in innocence then he will always give the ref a big decision to make.
In the aftermath, I was very disappointed that Arteta cam out and said it wasn’t even a penalty, from every angle he saw. Absurd. He should fit in well at Arsenal and clear to see that Wengers old incident assessment skills are very much alive and kicking.
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