Arsenal player ratings vs Wolves: Gabriel seals huge 1-0 win

Arsenal returned to winning ways against Wolves on Thursday as Gabriel’s first half goal secured a 1-0 win at Molineux in a game where Gabriel Martinelli was sent off.

An agonisingly long wait between Premier League matches looked like it would give time enough for Takehiro Tomiyasu to return from a calf injury, but unfortunately he did not recover in time so Cedric Soares started at right-back.

New permanent captain Alexandre Lacazette led the line either side of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, while Arsenal could finally field their first choice central midfield partnership.

Granit Xhaka’s suspension was completed, as was Thomas Partey’s, so the pair started in the centre.

Arsenal player ratings vs Wolves as Gabriel’s first half goal is enough to secure a 1-0 Premier League win despite Martinelli’s red card

Arsenal saw plenty of the ball early on but were, as expected, struggling to break down a stubborn and well-drilled Wolves side.

Benjamin White’s blocked effort was all they produced up until the 25th when Gabriel prodded home from a corner after White knocked the ball back across the box.

The game turned on its head when Gabriel Martinelli received two yellow cards in the same action, with the referee having allowed the game to play on from his first offence, and then booking him for the second foul. Another red card, and a deserved one.

An excruciating final 20 minutes unfolded with Arsenal putting all hands to the pumps as the Wolves onslaught began. But, with everything they had, the Gunners held on for a huge three points.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – 7/10 – Didn’t have a great deal to do as in possession his options were limited, but when it came to wide deliveries he showed safe hands.

And then, after the red card, he had to be at his finest with some excellent saves.

Cedric Soares (RB) – 7/10 – Whisper is quietly, but, Cedric had a pretty solid game in Tomiyasu’s absence. He defended his side well and got up and down the line all game. Was also pretty lucky to avoid being booked on more than one occasion in the first half.

Benjamin White (CB) – 7/10 – Defensively this was a solid game from White, who stood his ground against technical opponents and was composed in his one-on-one duels.

On the ball his distribution wasn’t quite at its best, however, and his defensive headers were somewhat wayward.

Gabriel (CB) – 8/10 – Got his goal and defended his box well, having started the game slightly off colour early on. Had to stand tall on a number of occasions. Huge showing.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – 6/10 – Most of Wolves’ joy came down the left side where Tierney, without being beaten, was indecisive in his defensive actions. On the ball he wasn’t quite at usual sharpness either. Grew into the game though, and had a solid second half showing.

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Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – 8/10 – Partey looked like the sharpest player in the team in the early exchanges as he collected possession with confidence and had the willingness to turn and play in his teammates further forward. There was a nice pace to his game.

Defensively he did his job impressively, getting into the box to make some vital interventions and managing the transitions.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 7/10 – Kept popping up at left-back again in this game, one where his influence was heavily angled around defensive duties. Like Partey he got himself in the box to cover dangerous situations well. Had to dig deep in the second half.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – 7/10 – When Odegaard started getting on the ball is when Arsenal started looking threatening. Some of his turns were delightful and it was his combinations with Saka and Cedric that were the best outlet for Arsenal.

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Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 6/10 – Just when you think he’s having a quiet game he assumes possession, nutmegs someone, beats another man and then sets up a chance. That’s special ability.

It was still one of his quieter nights, but Arsenal’s better moments came when he combined with Odegaard down that right side.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 5/10 – Wasteful when the opportunity arose. There was one moment in the first half when he should have connected with a Cedric cross, and then after the break he squandered threatening moments in the box.

The worst, however, was the glorious opportunity just after going down to ten men.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – 4/10 – As ever he had all the energy in the world down the left, often picking up possession when the ball was turned over and having a run at goal from 80 metres away. Didn’t get into as many goalscoring opportunities as he would have wanted but busted a gut all over the pitch.

And then he blew it all with ten seconds of lunacy. First he obstructed a throw-in and then tackled someone from behind, getting two yellow cards in the same incident. A ridiculous thing to do.

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Substitutes

Emile Smith Rowe – 6/10 – Tried his best to relieve the pressure off his teammates with some drives in possession, but had no help from a shattered Lacazette.

Rob Holding – 7/10 – Defended deep in his box as the middle of three centre-backs, with some solid work in the air. He made nine clearances in 19 minutes!

Eddie Nketiah – N/A – All he had to do was run around. Which he did.