Arsenal 2-1 Wolves: 4 tactical triumphs from Mikel Arteta

Some wins can define an entire season, while others define a whole team. Snatching a last gasp 2-1 win over Wolves encompassed both for Arsenal.

It was a victory that prevents you from sleeping. An uncontrollable grin is stitched to your face and only when you go to take a sip of your morning coffee are you given a brief respite from what is now an achingly long time to be smiling.

Beating Wolves was important for a multitude of reasons: it extended Arsenal’s strong run in the league, took points of a top four rival, boosted the confidence of the squad and capitalised on further failings of their close rivals.

Gabriel’s dreadful mistake ten minutes in was precisely what Arsenal didn’t need, and not what any team in the land needs against this opposition. This was the first time since November 2018 that Wolves had lost a Premier League match in which they’d opened the scoring. 45 matches undefeated prior to Thursday. That’s some record.

Arsenal 2-1 Wolves: 4 tactical triumphs from Mikel Arteta in huge Premier League comeback win

Pushing for the equaliser, the hosts continued to carve open chances against a magnificent defensive block without truly testing Jose Sa. Despite their dominance it looked like being one of ‘those’ nights.

The breakthrough finally came with eight minutes to spare as Nicolas Pepe’s divine turn and finish in the box sent the Emirates into raptures, a memorable goal from a man very much forgotten in north London.

Desperately chasing the game with only six minutes of the 3,626 that Wolves managed to waste over the course of the match, Lacazette then sent the Emirates into pure ecstasy when forced the error from Sa. What a moment. What a game.

But while the players take immense credit for their efforts, so too should the manager. Mikel Arteta got near enough every decision right in this game. He deserves his own praise.

1. Letting Momentum Flow

Arteta has come a long way during his time as Arsenal manager. He’s taken considerable strides, just as his players have.

If this game were one year ago he would’ve practically been on the pitch with the players. His obsession with micromanaging every intricacy of the play can come across as unnerving at times. Of course, it’s the players who will now how that impacts them and not those watching on, but he’s been guilty of being too intent on forcing the issue and not letting momentum flow.

There was far less of that against Wolves. He could sense the pressure, feel the chances coming, and resisted the urge to fling on a few like-for-like changes that, if anything, would negatively impact that which the players were building.

Perhaps it is more trust in those he has, since they are very much his players, or it’s a maturity he’s developed where he understands sometimes he can be too demanding in an expressive way.

He’s come a long way, and there is still a long way to go.

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