Arsenal 2-0 Wolves: Player ratings as Gunners get off to winning start

Arsenal opened their 2024/25 Premier League account with a 2-0 victory over Wolves, but they were made to work for all three points.

The sun beamed down on the Emirates to kick-off the Gunners' campaign, and Mikel Arteta's looked intent on ensuring an expectant bunch of supporters were appeased. Arsenal were excellent to begin the content and were certainly good value for their lead having previously forced Jose Sa into a couple of saves.

Kai Havertz continued from where he left off in 2023/24 as he converted Bukayo Saka's pinpoint cross to hand the hosts the lead.

However, there was a slight malaise in the aftermath as Wolves started to have more joy. Gary O'Neil's side sought to win possession back high up the pitch and play over Arsenal's press, and their bravery was almost rewarded before the break. David Raya, though, superbly prevented Jorgen Strand Larsen from equalising.

There was a sense that Arsenal needed to move through the gears after the break, but the upsurge instead came from Wolves as the Gunners wobbled. Rayan Ait Nouri came close from distance before Matheus Cunha spurned a golden opportunity following a rare William Saliba error.

However, just as it looked as if Arsenal were sleepwalking into something other than a victory, Saka eased the tension in the Emirates with a fierce drive after cutting inside Ait Nouri with less than 20 minutes remaining.

After that, it was all about managing the contest with Wolves' momentum being stymied. Jurrien Timber's introduction certainly helped on that front, as Arsenal started 2024/25 with a win and a satisfying clean sheet. Arteta will know, though, that there's plenty of room from improvement.

Arsenal 2-0 Wolves player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their opening weekend victory.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 7.5/10 - Tested infrequently, but his save from Larsen was top-drawer. This was a good start to the season for Raya.

Ben White (RB) - 6/10 - Rodrigo Gomes is a dynamic customer who beat White once or twice, but the Arsenal defender wasn't troubled too much. White was smart with his movement in the build-up to escape Gomes' cover shadow.

William Saliba (CB) - 5/10 - Saliba's still got some work to do a central centre-back in possession. The Frenchman was really sloppy with the ball and it could've cost Arsenal.

Gabriel (CB) - 6/10 - Outside of a couple of first half fouls, Gabriel didn't seem particularly busy. This was a rare occasion when the Brazilian outperformed his partner with the ball.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) - 6/10 - Arsenal had success progressing down the left with Zinchenko in the first half, with the Ukrainian offering quality in transition, too. Withdrawn as Arteta opted for greater security at 1-0.

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