Arsenal maintained their recent fine form on Saturday as they eased to a 4-1 victory over Wolves.
Wenger's men continue to score at will
Arsenal maintained their recent fine form on Saturday as they eased to a 4-1 victory over Wolves.
Two own goals, from Ronald Zubar and Jody Craddock, put Arsene Wenger's side on their way, before Cesc Fabregas wrapped things up before the interval.
Andrey Arshavin added a fourth in the second half to complete a comfortable evening's work for the Gunners, while Craddock notched a late consolation for Mick McCarthy's men.
Wolves did start the brighter, and tested the Arsenal back line with a number of dangerous set-pieces early on.
It was, however, the visitors who took the lead after 28 minutes when Zubar, under pressure from Eduardo, turned a swinging corner into his own net.
Seven minutes later it was two, with Robin van Persie providing strike partner Eduardo with the opportunity to lift a delicate lob over the onrushing Wayne Hennessey - although his effort did take a wicked deflection off Craddock.
Arsenal were now in cruise control and ensured that they would be leaving with maximum points moments before half-time when Fabregas squeezed an effort inside the post from a tight angle.
The North London outfit continued to dominate after the break and Arshavin duly drilled a fourth low into the bottom corner on 66 minutes when Wolves could only half-clear a corner.
The home support finally had something to cheer in the final minute when Craddock rose highest to plant a powerful header past Manuel Almunia, but it was too little, too late.
Threat
Arsenal head into the international break resting nicely near the top of the Premier League table.
Unbeaten in 13 matches in all competitions, Arsene Wenger's side are a clear and positive threat to Chelsea and Manchester United.
They are scoring goals for fun, but not all of them are of their own making as Wolves will sadly testify.
The newly-promoted team were bright and lively until the 28th minute at Molinuex, when they were undone by their own hand.
Wolves came close to making the breakthrough in the 10th minute when Nenad Milijas delivered a corner, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake peeled away from his marker but failed to test goalkeeper Almunia - his close range header going wide of the post.
It was a good chance for the striker, who was back in the side with Chris Iwelumo absent.
Wenger's men again found themselves on the back foot in the 18th minute and Milijas picked out Christophe Berra with a free-kick, but he got his bearings all wrong and the ball was scrambled away.
Arsenal went ahead in the 28th minute and there was a stroke of luck about their effort.
Regroup
Fabregas swung in a corner from the left and the ball took a deflection off Zubar for an own goal.
The home side tried to regroup but were undone again seven minutes later and by another own goal.
Eduardo was allowed plenty of space and raced forward only to see his chip deflected off Craddock.
The momentum had swung Arsenal's way and they were now firmly in the driving seat with the advantage of a two-goal cushion.
They extended their lead in stoppage-time when Fabregas scored in front of the posts after a simple ball from Robin van Persie.
Arsenal went on the attack at the start of the second half and Arshavin tried to pick out van Persie in the 48th minute, only for Hennessey to make the interception.
Five minutes later Thomas Vermaelen hoisted the ball forward towards Eduardo but he failed to get a decent touch and the opportunity was lost.
Arsenal had taken the sting out of the game after their three-goal spell in the first half.
Resignation
Wolves were finding it hard to string their passes together and there was an air of resignation among the home fans.
Fabregas then tried to release van Persie but Craddock was alert to the danger in the 63rd minute and made the clearance.
Arshavin came close to extending Arsenal's lead in the 63rd minute when he cut inside, only for Hennessy to turn away his effort.
The Russian got his reward in the 66th minute, though, latching onto Hennessey's clearance from a corner by Fabregas, thumping the ball beyond the Welsh goalkeeper.
It was becoming a rout as Arsenal were beginning to find gaps as Wolves tired.
Fabregas should have added a fifth goal in the 76th minute but sent his effort over the top from close range after van Persie had squared the ball into his path.
Substitute Tomas Rosicky was also wasteful in front of goal before Wolves got a consolation on the stroke of full-time.
Craddock scored at the right end this time when he powered home a header from substitute Matt Jarvis' corner.
| Wolverhampton Wanderers |
Team Statistics |
Arsenal |
| 1 |
Goals |
4 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
3 |
| 1 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 3 |
Shots off Target |
3 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
5 |
| 4 |
Corners |
4 |
| 11 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
8 |
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
3 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 65.1 |
Passing Success |
78.1 |
| 26 |
Tackles |
26 |
| 84.6 |
Tackles Success |
80.8 |
| 38.1 |
Possession |
61.9 |
| 54.7 |
Territorial Advantage |
45.3 |
|
