| Home team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
Wolverhampton
|
1 - 4 |
Arsenal
|
Last updated: 7th November 2009
90+3 Bennett brings the match to an end and Arsenal have sent another warning to their title rivals. Wenger's men move above Manchester United in the standings while Wolves drop into the relegation zone.
90+2 The impressive Ramsey side-nets with his shot - Arsenal are still after more goals.
90+1 The Wolves faithful are in full voice after that goal.
90 There will be three minutes of added time.
89 GOAL CRADDOCK! Jarvis's cross deflects off Song and Wolves win a corner. The set-piece is well placed and Craddock beats Vermaelen to the ball and heads the ball past Almunia.
88 At the other end Van Persie gets the ball at his feet and this time doesn't dither and sets-up Rosicky, whose rising shot never looked like troubling Hennessey.
87 Gallas and Almunia get their lines cross and that almost give Ebanks-Blake a chance to sneak in. But the Spanish 'keeper eventually collects the ball.
86 Time is running out for Wolves to grab a consolation goal.
85 Zubar's back pass is suicidal as Van Persie collects the ball behind the Wolves defence. The Dutchman twists and turns after beating Hennessey to try and get the ball onto his left foot when he probably should have laid the ball off. And this gives the men in gold a chance to cover and clear the danger.
84 Arsenal push forward through Fabgreas. His pass looks for Van Persie who is offside.
83 Henry steps up and bangs the ball into Sagna who did brilliantly to block the shot.
82 Ebanks-Blake draws a free-kick off Vermaelen a couple of metres from the 'D'.
81 The sub's first touch is a good one and his long ball is just too long for the lively Jarvis.
80 Edwards is replaced by Michael Mancienne as Wolves make another change.
79 Doyle tries his hand at creating and almost unlocks Arsenal's defence. Sagna does well to cut out the pass with Jarvis lurking.
78 Edwards crosses from deep but the ball just eludes Doyle who made a fantastic run into the area.
77 Nasri gets involved and he and Gibbs open up space on the left. But the cross into the box is poor and Wolves get a reprieve of sorts.
76 Fabregas misses a great chance from close range after a cut-back from Van Persie at the far post.
75 Wenger responds with a change of his own as Arshavin makes way for Samir Nasri.
74 Matt Jarvis replaces Milijas.
73 Gibbs goes around Kightly on the left and his cross is plucked out of the air by Hennessey.
72 Ramsey skips past Milijas and has a chance to shoot, but he takes too long and Wolves' covering defence dispossess the youngster.
71 Tomas Rosicky is introduced as Eduardo is withdrawn by wenger.
69 Milijas fails to lift his effort over the wall amid suspicion of handball. That would have been a harsh penalty though.
68 Vermaelen concedes a free-kick after a clash with Doyle around 25 yards from goal.
67 Hennessey makes another sharp stop to grab the ball from under the feet of Eduardo. There's a slight scramble before Wolves clear the ball.
66 GOAL ARSHAVIN! Arshavin forces Hennessey into a fine save at the near post. The goalkeeper is forced to concede a corner and the ensuing set-piece is drifted in by Fabregas. The Wolves 'keeper then punches clear but the ball lands at the Russian's feet and he slams the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the area.
65 And there's the change. Castillo makes way for Michael Kightly
64 Doyle is still full of running but the striker has received no service from his midfield in this half.
63 There is movement on the Wolves bench. A substitution could be made very shortly by McCarthy.
62 It's a bit scrappy now. Stearman hacks down Van Persie and there's another free-kick.
61 And Wolves capitalise on the lull and Zubar's cross is cut out by Vermaelen.
60 So with half an hour left on the clock Arsenal seem relatively content to sit on their lead and pass the ball around.
59 Milijas also goes into the book as he crashes into Sagna.
58 Gibbs is cautioned for a studs-up challenge on Zubar.
57 Milijas floats the ball into the area and Almunia comes a long way out to catch the ball above the scambling bodies below.
56 Stearman draws a free-kick off Sagna on the halfway line.
55 The pace has slowed down for the time being. It can't be too long before the intensity is raised.
54 Eduardo is flagged offside but replays suggest he was indeed on-side.
53 But Sagna gives the ball away to Doyle who makes a bee-line for the Gunners goal. However, Sagna recovers and wins the ball back - the Irish striker feels he should have had a free-kick.
52 Wolves have struggled to get their foot on the ball in the second stanza and face a long half as Arsenal push for more goals.
51 Fabregas drives into the final third and sees Arshavin in space on the left. Unfortunately for the Londoners his pass has too much on it and Wolves graciously accept possession.
50 Ramsey sets-up Van Persie and his shot is charged down. But the young midfielder pushed into the area and was there to pick up the scraps. Craddock does well to clear the danger though.
49 Ramsey finally loses the ball and Stearman has a throw-in deep in his own half.
48 The Gunners continue to stroke the ball around with imperious ease.
47 Wenger's men start the match in the same vein as which they ended the first and create a chance when Van Persie's nifty pass down the right frees Sagna. His cross is a good one but Zubar heads clear with some authority.
46 Arsenal get the second half underway.
This one seems to be over as a contest and Sky Bet rate a Wolves comeback win at 100/1. Perhaps a better punt would be on the correct full-time score. If you fancy the final score to be 4-1 to Arsenal, you can pick up odds of 11/2.
45+2 Steve Bennett brings the half to a close. It has been a classy performance from Arsenal who have done tremendously well to convert their chances.
45+1 GOAL FABREGAS! The Spanish star finishes with aplomb after starting a lovely move in midfield. He shares passes with Sagna and the Frenchman plays a diagonal ball into Van Persie in the box. He flicks the ball onto Fabregas, who continued his run, and the captain steers the ball beyond Hennessey's reach. A vintage Arsenal goal.
45 There will be two minutes of optional time.
44 Then Fabregas and Gibbs combine to cut through the Wolves defence. Luckily for McCarthy's men the final ball is too long and Hennessey collects.
43 The Dutch forward fires a low cross into the centre of the area but Wolves clear before the cavalry arrives in the box.
42 Henry is caught in midfield and Ramsey and Arshavin release Van Persie down the left wing.
41 Mick McCarthy will feel aggrieved by the scoreline as his men played so well in the opening period of the match.
40 Milijas takes a pop at goal from a free-kick but the ball flies over the crossbar.
39 Arshavin goes into the ref's book for persistent foul play.
38 Eduardo then turns provider but Van Persie's effort deflects wide of the goal.
36 Molineux has been silenced by that goal.
35 GOAL EDUARDO! Berra gets drawn forward as Wolves counter, but Fabregas wins the ball and plays the ball through for Ramsey who latches onto possession in midfield. He advances with Eduardo on his left and as Wolves have committed men forward, Jody Craddock is left isolated. The Croatian international receives the ball and chips it over Wayne Hennessey to make it 2-0. It did take a deflection off Craddock, but it looks like Eduardo's goal nonetheless.
34 Wolves are struggling to get out of their own half as Arsenal enjoy their best spell of the match.
33 The hosts manage to pilfer the ball and immediately seek to attack through Doyle down the right channel.
32 Eduardo wins another corner after Ramsey and Van Persie shared a one-two on the fringes of the area.
31 After a slow start Arsenal are starting to boss the midfield.
30 Ramsey then has two decent chances to extend their lead.
28 OWN-GOAL ZUBAR! At the other end Wolves concede a corner and under pressure from Eduardo, Zubar deflects the ball into the back of his own net via his thigh. Fabregas was the man who swung in the corner.
27 Some good play from Doyle wins a corner but Ebanks-Blake handles the ball and the attack comes to nought.
26 Again Doyle probes down the right wing and his delivery across the face of goal is just out of Ebanks-Blake's reach.
25 Alex Song replaces the injured Diaby.
24 Arshavin commits a cynical foul on Milijas but this time Arsenal deal with the free-kick and clear.
'I'm a huge Arsenal fan,but this is a weak start from us. We need to get our passing game going,otherwise Wolves could suprise us.' - Nick,from Hungary
23 Play resumes without the midfielder. For now.
22 Diaby has a knock and goes off for some treatment.
21 Gibbs takes a crack at goal but the youngster's shot goes out for a goal-kick.
20 Arsenal finally find their range and Diaby and Arshavin combine beautifully and very nearly play in Van Persie.
19 There's a clear ploy from Wolves as they try to bomb crosses into the heart of the Arsenal defence.
18 Wolves win a free-kick on the left side. Milijas lofts the ball into the area and Berra has a free header. However, the effort is off target but the Gunners struggle to clear their lines. Doyle turns smartly and fires a shot at goal that slams into a wall of Arsenal defenders.
17 Zubar's diagonal ball over the top almost finds Ebanks-Blake in space.
'I have a strong feeling that Arsenal are going to come out on top in this game. They are on great form, scoring goals in their dozens and its doesn't matter who they are playing at the minute. I predict 3-0.' Sam Nicholls, Kent
15 Replays show there was contact between the striker and Zubar, but the ref probably made the right call.
14 Arsenal have a penalty appeal waved away as Eduardo goes down in the area following a goalmouth scramble.
13 Arsenal are coming into the game now and Fabregas pops a ball over the top. This time Van Persie is offside.
12 Arsenal launch the ball up-field and Gallas' pass finds Arshavin in space in the area, but he is adjudged to be in an offside position.
11 Wolves win another corner and again the delivery is good. This time Ebanks-Blake gets his head to the ball but the effort flashes just wide of the upright.
10 But Wolves win the ball and Doyle counters down the left. He's body-checked by William Gallas who is booked.
9 Arshavin wins a free-kick after being fouled by Richard Stearman.
8 Wolves have posed a threat in the final third thus far and Arsene Wenger will be eager to see more of the game played at the other end.
7 Gibbs pushes forward to demonstrate the range of his skill but Ramsey can't keep the attack going.
6 Ronald Zubar's cross is a dangerous one but no one can get a touch on it. Then Wolves win a corner and Doyle wins the aerial battle and his header is cleared off the line by Gibbs. A let off for Arsenal that.
5 Ebanks-Blake capitalises on a mistake from Diaby in midfield and the Wolves striker advances goalwards before losing possession in the box.
4 Another touch from Arshavin falls short of Bacary Sagna as the Londoners look to find their passing range and fluidity.
3 Aaron Ramsey gets an early touch down the left wing and wins a throw-in. The ball is then switched to the other wing where Andrei Arshavin's low cross is cut out.
2 The hosts start well and probe down the right flank with Kevin Doyle and he is finally dispossessed by Thomas Vermaelen.
Andrew also asked who the captains are tonight. It seems as if Karl Henry has the Wolves armband while Cesc Fabregas leads the Gunners.
1 We've had the minute silence in honour of those who fell in World War One and following that, Wolves kick-off playing from left to right.
'I think as long as Eboue doesn't come on then Arsenal will dominate this game. Otherwise I have seen Wolves play a brilliant passing game similar to Arsenals so I think some Gunners fans could be in for a shock! Most likely though Arsenal win 3-2. Hope you have time to put this on the commentary feed,' - Oli Field-Johnson from Oxford
'I hope Arsenal win this, Fabregas should hopefully attack like he has been doing and help arsenal out in both positions! Would of liked to see Nasri play, Let's hope he comes on in the second half!' - Andrew Gilfillan
Send your comments on this game to richard.ferraris@teamtalkmedia.co.za and I'll do my best to publish as many of them as possible.
Wolves are 8/1 outsiders to win at Molineux according to Sky Bet while Robin van Persie is 7/2 to open the scoring.
Pre-match: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made three changes to his side as he attempts to maintain the pressure on Chelsea and Manchester United at the top of the Premier League. Bacary Sagna, Eduardo and Aaron Ramsey all return following the defeat of AZ Alkmaar in the Champions League in midweek. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy adopted a similar pattern with Richard Stearman, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Nenad Milijas back in the team. The newly-promoted side are facing a daunting task, not least because their last home win over Arsenal came in October 1978.
Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Zubar, Craddock, Berra, Stearman, Edwards, Henry, Castillo, Milijas, Doyle, Ebanks-Blake Subs: Hahnemann, Kightly, Keogh, Halford, Jarvis, Mancienne, Maierhofer
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Ramsey, Diaby, Arshavin, Fabregas, Eduardo, van Persie Subs: Mannone, Senderos, Rosicky, Nasri, Song Billong, Silvestre, Eboue
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | Hull vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Everton |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| 16:00 | Stoke vs Portsmouth |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Everton |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Aston Villa vs Tottenham |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Wolverhampton vs Birmingham |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| West Ham 1 - 2 Everton | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 5 - 1 Bolton | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tottenham 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Man City 3 - 3 Burnley | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Everton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Fulham 3 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Burnley 2 - 0 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Portsmouth 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunderland 2 - 2 West Ham | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 12 | 30 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 11 | 25 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 12 | 25 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 12 | 22 |
| 5 | Aston Villa | 12 | 21 |
| 6 | Manchester City | 11 | 20 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 12 | 19 |
| 8 | Sunderland | 12 | 17 |
| 9 | Stoke City | 12 | 16 |
| 10 | Burnley | 12 | 16 |
| 11 | Fulham | 11 | 15 |
| 12 | Everton | 11 | 15 |
| 13 | Wigan Athletic | 12 | 14 |
| 14 | Blackburn Rovers | 11 | 13 |
| 15 | Birmingham City | 12 | 12 |
| 16 | Bolton Wanderers | 11 | 11 |
| 17 | Hull City | 12 | 11 |
| 18 | West Ham United | 12 | 10 |
| 19 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 12 | 10 |
| 20 | Portsmouth | 12 | 7 |
Can Chelsea cash in on Man Utd's defensive issues and add to their league lead, asks Andy Gray.
With Didier Drogba in frightening form, Paul Merson expects Chelsea to beat Man Utd on Sunday.