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

4. Keeping Alexandre Lacazette On

Everything, like…everything, was pointing towards taking Lacazette off before the end. While the lasting memory is a positive one, his contributions up until the final minute of the game left fans groaning for a change.

The argument will be made that there is nobody else to replace him with. Martinelli had come off early on, and Nketiah, with his grand total of zero Premier League goals this season, was the only other viable option.

But Arteta did what he has done with Lacazette and Aubameyang before him: he persisted.

Demonstrating his faith in the Frenchman as he had done with the decision to both ostracise Aubameyang and not sign anyone over the January transfer window, his trust was rewarded. Lacazette may not have scored the goal, but who was closing down defenders in stoppage time, getting involved in the physical battle with defenders and trying to instigate and maintain Arsenal attacks. He was.

You have to commend the manager for sticking with him in this game, when the choice to go like-for-like with Nketiah is one he’s fallen back on many times before. Going two up front was bold, and it relied on Lacazete not burning out. What it didn’t rely on, and instead was certain of, was him not throwing in the towel.

That passion, commitment and leadership helped get Arsenal over the line. Arteta saw the way he interacted with the crowd, cheering them on, and he stuck with it.

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Few others would have.