Wolves manager Rob Edwards would’ve left the Emirates proud of the performance his team produced against Arsenal.
On the other side, Mikel Arteta was less satisfied with Arsenal’s display, as the Gunners needed an injury-time winner to get three points against the struggling Old Gold.
Arsenal lacked creativity against Wolves, which was their biggest downfall on an abysmal night in N5.
The three goals of the match were scored by Wolves players, as Sam Johnstone and Yerson Mosquera scored own goals either side of Tolu Arokodare’s equaliser.
Imagine you are Mikel Arteta. What would your message to Arsenal players be after that performance vs Wolves?
Wolves manager Rob Edwards was impressed by Bukayo Saka’s corner
It wasn’t a night that showcased Arsenal’s attacking strength by any means, but still, one player managed to impress.
Bukayo Saka stepped up when Arsenal needed him most, being behind both of the Gunners’ goals, despite them being converted by the opposition.
Post-match, Wolves boss Rob Edwards admitted that he thought Saka’s intention behind the corner that led to Johnstone’s own goal deserved praise.
“Bizarre circumstances, but again, I just said in one of the other interviews, he’s [Saka] aiming for that,” Edwards said in his press conference.
“For the corner, he’ll be aiming for that position, so it’s brilliant from them, but you know, unfortunate for us how it went in.”
The 24-year-old’s corner caused Johnstone a huge problem as it fired towards the back post, hitting the post before it hit the Wolves goalkeeper to cross the line.
On a night that Arsenal lacked attacking quality, Saka produced the goods with his threatening corner, which, to Wolves’ dismay, was converted by their own man, diverting attention away from the winger.
Saka would’ve made history if Sam Johnstone hadn’t scored the own goal
Saka did something no Arsenal player had done in 10 years by winning all 10 of the duels he contested in the match.
Despite his impressive performance, the Englishman might’ve left the Emirates feeling dissatisfied, as he could’ve made Arsenal history for another reason.
Excluding Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, which Arsenal player would you fancy most to score directly from a corner?
No Arsenal player has ever scored directly from a corner kick, an Olimpico goal, in a competitive match, something Saka came so close to doing against Wolves.
His effort, intentional or not, hit the post, coming so close, but it wasn’t enough to have the goal credited to him.
In the grand scheme of things, Saka won’t care as Arsenal got the job done, eventually.
Now, his teammates must use his level of performance as inspiration.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
