A fantastic performance from Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey frustrated an Arsenal team who knew a victory would lift them into the UEFA Champions League qualifying spots.
Ivory Coast international Gervinho opened the scoring for the Gunners, before Scottish striker Steven Fletcher headed home an equalizer during the first half.
The result provides Wolves with a boost in their relegation fight, slightly improving the gap between themselves and the relegation zone to two points.
Arsenal took only eight minutes to take the lead, when Gervinho collected Yossi Benayoun’s precise through ball and calmly beat Hennessey.
Hennessey recovered from the early blow to put in an excellent performance, and did well to tip Robin van Persie’s shot round the goal post at the half-hour mark. Mikel Arteta also carved out another good chance for the Gunners in the first half, but his shot was blocked by a swarming Wolves defense.
Despite being forced to defend in numbers for the majority of the half, Wolves managed to draw level in the 38th minute. Nenad Milijas swung a corner into the Arsenal area, and Johan Djourou’s clearance only went as far as Stephen Hunt.
Midfielder Hunt fired a shot from outside of the area that was deflected past Wojciech Szczesny by the head of Fletcher.
Arsenal dominated possession and created several chances throughout the second half, but were denied time and time again by Wolves keeper Hennessey.
First Robin van Persie had a free kick saved, before Thomas Vermaelen’s header was blocked by the Wales international goalkeeper.
Tomas Rosicky blazed a shot wide as Arsenal pushed forward, before the pressure was really turned up on Wolves when they were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute.
Spanish playmaker Arteta was brought down by Milijas on the edge of the area, and the Serbian midfielder was given his marching orders by referee Stuart Attwell.
Arsenal poured forward with their man advantage, and were kept at bay only by a series of Hennessey saves. First van Persie had another free kick stone-walled, before having a shot kept out by Hennessey two minutes later.
Vermaelen then had a volley kept out by Hennessey, before Van Persie sent an injury time header wide as the clock ran out on the Gunners.
The disappointed Arsenal fans erupted in a chorus of boos at the final whistle, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described the result as “very frustrating.”
Things got worse for Arsenal fans a few hours later, as north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur cruised to a 2-0 win over Norwich City. Third placed Tottenham are now two places and five points ahead of Arsenal, and have played one game less than the Gunners.
LINEUPS
ARS – Szczesny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Djourou (Chamakh 85), Rosicky, Arteta, Song (Ramsey 71), Benayoun (Arshavin 63), Van Persie, Gervinho.
WOL – Hennessey, Ward, Johnson, Berra, Zubar (Stearman 50), Henry, Hunt (Doyle 86), Jarvis, Milijas, Forde (Guedioura 71), Fletcher.
SCORING SUMMARY
ARS – Gervinho (Yossi Benayoun) 8’
WOL – Steven Fletcher (Stephen Hunt) 38’
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Attendance: 59,686
The result provides Wolves with a boost in their relegation fight, slightly improving the gap between themselves and the relegation zone to two points.
Arsenal took only eight minutes to take the lead, when Gervinho collected Yossi Benayoun’s precise through ball and calmly beat Hennessey.
Hennessey recovered from the early blow to put in an excellent performance, and did well to tip Robin van Persie’s shot round the goal post at the half-hour mark. Mikel Arteta also carved out another good chance for the Gunners in the first half, but his shot was blocked by a swarming Wolves defense.
Despite being forced to defend in numbers for the majority of the half, Wolves managed to draw level in the 38th minute. Nenad Milijas swung a corner into the Arsenal area, and Johan Djourou’s clearance only went as far as Stephen Hunt.
Midfielder Hunt fired a shot from outside of the area that was deflected past Wojciech Szczesny by the head of Fletcher.
Arsenal dominated possession and created several chances throughout the second half, but were denied time and time again by Wolves keeper Hennessey.
First Robin van Persie had a free kick saved, before Thomas Vermaelen’s header was blocked by the Wales international goalkeeper.
Tomas Rosicky blazed a shot wide as Arsenal pushed forward, before the pressure was really turned up on Wolves when they were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute.
Spanish playmaker Arteta was brought down by Milijas on the edge of the area, and the Serbian midfielder was given his marching orders by referee Stuart Attwell.
Arsenal poured forward with their man advantage, and were kept at bay only by a series of Hennessey saves. First van Persie had another free kick stone-walled, before having a shot kept out by Hennessey two minutes later.
Vermaelen then had a volley kept out by Hennessey, before Van Persie sent an injury time header wide as the clock ran out on the Gunners.
The disappointed Arsenal fans erupted in a chorus of boos at the final whistle, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described the result as “very frustrating.”
Things got worse for Arsenal fans a few hours later, as north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur cruised to a 2-0 win over Norwich City. Third placed Tottenham are now two places and five points ahead of Arsenal, and have played one game less than the Gunners.
LINEUPS
ARS – Szczesny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Djourou (Chamakh 85), Rosicky, Arteta, Song (Ramsey 71), Benayoun (Arshavin 63), Van Persie, Gervinho.
WOL – Hennessey, Ward, Johnson, Berra, Zubar (Stearman 50), Henry, Hunt (Doyle 86), Jarvis, Milijas, Forde (Guedioura 71), Fletcher.
SCORING SUMMARY
ARS – Gervinho (Yossi Benayoun) 8’
WOL – Steven Fletcher (Stephen Hunt) 38’
LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Wayne Hennessey (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Attendance: 59,686
