For the third time this season Arsenal dropped precious points at the Emirates, this time to a very defensive Wolverhampton outfit.
The Gunners took an early lead inside the first 10 minutes after Yossi Benayoun played through Gervinho, who then went past Wayne Hennessey and slid the ball into an empty net.
Arsenal had the majority of the possession and created several chances, but nothing that really made the Wolves goalkeeper sweat or work for. Despite their control of the game, Arsene Wenger’s men found themselves on level terms after being unable to deal with a corner. Matt Jarvis’ cross was diverted away from goal, but the ball fell to Stephen Hunt outside the area who then had a go at goal. Unfortunately for us, the Irishman’s effort took a wicked deflection and found Steven Fletcher, who then nodded the ball past a helpless Wojciech Szczesny.
The second half was pretty much the same as the first – Arsenal continued to press forward, but actually made Hennessey work his wages.
Robin van Persie had several opportunities as did Tomas Rosicky and others, but their best effort probably fell to German international Per Mertesacker, who had a 7-yard header saved by the Wolves keeper. Needless to say the Welsh shot-stopper had his Weetabix today.
Arsenal’s chances of bagging all three points were hugely enhanced after Nenad Milijas was sent off in the 74th minute following a tackle on Mikel Arteta, which sparked a mini scuffle. However, despite their one man advantage, Arsenal couldn’t manage to break down a very resolute and hard-working Wolves side.
The 1-1 draw leaves Wenger’s men sitting in fifth place, 12 points behind both Manchester clubs, one behind Chelsea and three behind fierce rivals Spurs, who have two games in hand over Arsenal.
So, what five things did we learn about our team today?
Give us your thoughts and comments below
Like what you read? Then follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/Gunnersphere
Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.
Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.
no leader. no leader to calm the team down for a decisive charge. fab would hv done it. henry would hv scored it. veira would hv commanded them.
when u park a bus in front of arsenal, they cant walk the goal in.
and i dont knw what aw means when he said that the ox is ready by u cannot throw him into a game of great intensity. anyone pls explain what he meant?
1)THE THREE TOP POSITIONS ARE SET IN STONE.
2)WE WILL NOT CATCH THE TOP THREE.
3)CHELSEA WILL STRENGTHEN IN JANUARY AND PULL AWAY FROM US.
4) UNLESS WE GET RID OF CHAMAKH AND ARSHAVIN AND REPLACE THEM WITH ANOTHER QUALITY WINGER AND GOAL SCORER, WE WILL NOT BE IN THE TOP FOUR, COME END OF SEASON.
5) NOTHING HAS CHANGED. SAME OLD POST- VIEIRA ARSENAL -NO TROPHIES.
1. We won’t Win If Rvp is Not Playing Well.
2. We don’t Have Players That Can Penetrate Defence.
3. Arshavin And Rocisky Must Leave
4.Wenger Is A Defiant Fool, Sign Players In january He will Be giving Useless Execuse
5. We Don’t Have Super Subs.
rosicky and arshivan need to go… marek hamsik is quality and defensive m’villa and loan henry and gooners will win champ lg.
1. Robin Van Persie is human.
2. We do not have any super subs.
3. Arshavin can play good.
4. Gervinho isnt confident in his dribbling.
5. We cannot keep a clean sheet.
First : We really need Walcott in our team
Second : We don’t have a team leader
third : we need to give Ox – Park more time to play
fourth : Wenger should change to 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 because this 4-5-1 tactic isn’t good enough i think
fifth : There is no arsenal player that can score shoot good enough to score from distance we always need to get inside the box to score.
Now the team lacks a leader. Arsenal fans never stop to amaze me. Arsenal ve been doing well,no previous comments of the team lacking a leader. Steve I think you re the fool. Kudos to the wolves keeper,it wasn’t arsenal’s day.
1. Song is out of form
2. We lack genuine width
3. Certain players eg. Rosicky Arshavin are afraid to shoot due to the scrutiny that they are placed under
4. Van Persie is tiring as his performances of late have not been of the same level as before
5. Some Arsenal fans are a joke. Despite the players clearly giving everything and some outstanding defence by wolves, they moan about everything. Clearly the result was poor, but wenger brought on a winger and a striker to try and change the game while taking off a defender. Arsenal do play a 4-3-3 when attacking. A month ago everyone was praising RVP for his captaincy now they are moaning? Please. Rosicky was actually quite good today. And the person who said we do not have super subs clearly has forgotten the villa match where the subs won us the game.
Time for all the negative lot to come out again because we didn’t get the three points we are ENTITLED to. No mention of the 20+ shots and the outstanding performance by their goal keeper, it’s all arsenals fault Wolves were too good.
oh, and put your dummy back in!!
1 I learned that AW handicapped the side by not having proper (by proper I mean better) replacements for Nasri and Fabregas.
2 I learned that Arsenal have very little pace in the midfield
3 I learned that Per M is not very a very good athlete in the back while Kos is.
4 I learned that Arsenal doesn’t have anyone to hold the ball in the middle while runs are made
5 I learned that I probably won’t see Ox or Ryo but probably Charmack, Rosicky,Arshavin, and Benayoun
1) The midfield lacks creativity and penetration against teams that defend hard
2) There’s no other clutch players aside from RVP and if he can’t win the game, nobody else can
3) Wenger needs another quality striker
4) The team still lacks a Plan B
5) We’re mediocre at set pieces compared to most other teams in the league – even the bottom table ones.