Wolves 1-4 Arsenal
Arshavin scored the fourth
Saturday, 07, Nov 2009 07:39
By Darren Estwick.
Arsenal scored four goals in a Premier League match again to outclass Wolves and move second in the Premier League table.
From the moment Arsenal took the lead in the 28th minute the result was never in doubt with Wolves contributing as much to their downfall as the away side. Goals by Fabregas, Arshavin and two own goals sealed a miserable home game for Wolves and ensured that the fine form continued for Arsenal.
Wolves started solidly making Arsenal work hard for their chances and creating the odd scare from set pieces. These early chances went the way of the home side. First a corner found the head of Kevin Doyle but his header was cleared off the line by Kieran Gibbs and then a better opportunity for Ebanks-Blake resulted in the ball drifting past the post.
Wolves final parting shot before the away side woke from their slumber was probably their best opportunity. A delivery into the box from a free kick found Christophe Berra free and unmarked in the penalty area, but the defender proceeded to head the ball vertically into the air when very well placed.
As the famous football mantra confirms, you really do need to score when you are on top, as from Arsenal's first corner of the match they opened the scoring. Cesc Fabregas delivered a telling corner which was diverted into the net of Wolves defender Ronald Zubar under heavy pressure from Eduardo.
Wolves proceeded to panic, throwing men forward against a team famed for their counter attacking qualities. 35 minutes in Arsenal found themselves 2 against one racing towards the Wolves goal.
Aaron Ramsey found the unattended Eduardo who chipped majestically over the keeper and make it two nil. Replay's however suggested that the forward's chip was initially heading wide before Jody Craddock placed his head in the way to faintly divert it on target. Some teams have no luck.
The game was pretty much over at this point with Arsenal playing their usual brand of easy on the eye but effective football. The third goal was probably the best of the night. Bacary Sagna went on one of his voyages up field and it was his cross which was placed by Robin van Persie right into the path of the oncoming Fabregas who finished with aplomb.
The second half began and continued as a procession with Wolves offering very little in an attacking sense. A corner half way through the half was seemingly cleared before it was returned with interest by Andrey Arshavin with a shot which angled straight into the corner to make it 4-0.
It wouldn't be an Arsenal game however if they didn't allow the opposition to score and it was through the now prolific defender Craddock. The defender who scored two goals in his previous game took advantage of a free header to score the most obvious of consolation goals. Wolves will look to their next game while Arsenal will now sit back and look till Sunday.