Arsenal Vs Wolves: 5 things we learned – Mikel Arteta’s best performance

4. Arteta substitutions were excellent

Since the restart, Mikel Arteta’s in-game management has either been questionable or hamstrung by events on the pitch like injuries and sendings off. For all of the positive impact he has had on the team, and it has been plentiful, one of the question marks remaining over his management was how he managed games with his substitutions. Here, it was superb.

Bringing Ainsley Maitland-Niles on for Kieran Tierney immediately helped to contain the Adama Traore threat. His greater pace and athleticism mean he is better-suited to one-on-ones against the electric Wolves attacker. Hector Bellerin had a similar impact on the opposite flank, freshening up both wing-back positions.

Joe Willock was excellent in place of Bukayo Saka, providing legs and ball-carrying ability. Lucas Torreira was everywhere in the midfield, breaking up play and preventing Wolves from driving forwards, and then Alexandre Lacazette replicated Eddie Nketiah’s work-rate before scoring his first away goal in over a year with a lovely touch and finish. Every substitution made a positive impact, and for that, Arteta deserves great credit.