Arsenal 1-2 Wolves: Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence seal impressive win

Wolves recovered from a nasty head injury to top scorer Raul Jimenez to secure their first win at Arsenal since 1979 and condemn their hosts to their worst Premier League start after 10 games.

A game between two of the Premier League’s lowest-scoring sides was understandably flat after that but it came to life when Pedro Neto slotted home from close range after Leandro Dendoncker had headed Adama Traore’s teasing cross against the bar midway through the first half.

Gabriel equalised for the hosts with a thumping header from a Willian cross just three minutes later but Wolves were the better side throughout and re-established their lead when Daniel Podence cleverly converted after keeper Bernd Leno fumbled Neto’s drive.

Arsenal rarely threatened, with striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang little more than a spectator at times, and boss Mikel Arteta has much to ponder with his side languishing in 14th place in the Premier League after 10 matches.

Wolves, on the other hand, are up to sixth and sit just four points off the summit in an increasingly congested top half of the table.

A sickening injury

The match had barely got going when one of its biggest stars was left unable to continue.

The moment Jimenez and Luiz dropped to the floor it was clear there was real concern among the players as medical staff rushed on to the field.

Jimenez was ultimately taken off on a stretcher and straight to hospital after a bandaged and visibly upset Luiz went to check on his stricken opponent.

Luiz continued until half-time – Arsenal have said they followed all the correct protocols in keeping him on the pitch – but was withdrawn at the break, blood clearly showing through his bandage.

In the absence of talisman Jimenez, manager Nuno Espirito Santo needed his other attackers to step up – and, once the shock of the injury wore off, they duly delivered a vibrant performance of real menace.

Neto’s first goal of the season, from the bench against Southampton last week, was rewarded with a start at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and he repaid that faith by firing Wolves into the lead.

The 20-year-old Portugal forward was also instrumental in the goal that put the visitors ahead again on the stroke of half-time. Arsenal keeper Leno could only shovel out Neto’s shot from distance and Podence smartly drilled home the rebound.

Wolves have struggled for goals this season but, with Traore back in the team, and Neto and Podence looking threatening, it may be they have the tools to address that in the coming weeks, even if Jimenez may be set for a spell on the sidelines.

One year on, Arsenal still struggling

On 29 November 2019, Unai Emery was dismissed as Arsenal manager with the Gunners eighth in the Premier League and a mutinous atmosphere around the Emirates.

Exactly 12 months on, his successor, Mikel Arteta, seems to have more questions than answers in his in-tray after another flat performance in front of empty stands at this cavernous stadium.

Arteta deserves credit for the way he rallied the team last season to seal Europa League qualification by winning the FA Cup – a triumph that included notable victories over Manchester City and Chelsea.

The former Gunners midfielder has also stiffened the backbone of a team that was regularly accused of being flaky – before Sunday’s fixture, only Tottenham had conceded fewer goals in the Premier League this season.

But at what cost?

Arsenal seem to have lost fluency going forward and their world-class striker and premium asset Aubameyang has only scored two league goals this season.

Indeed, Aubameyang touched the ball only eight times in the first half – and three of those touches were from kick-offs. Then, when gifted two second-half opportunities, the Gabon international failed to hit the target with either.

Arsenal’s goal, simple in its creation, was a powerful Gabriel header from Willian’s cross, but beyond that they rarely threatened a Wolves backline that is also notoriously solid.

The Gunners have now lost five of their 10 league games this season and 13 points is their lowest total at this stage of a Premier League campaign.

Arteta needs a swift solution to his side’s bluntness because, on a day when north London rivals Tottenham went back to the top of the table, they seem further away than ever from the English top-flight’s elite.

More to follow.