The Independent
·20 April 2024
The Independent
·20 April 2024
Arsenal boss Arteta says it is 'time to show what we’re made of' after tough week
Wolves host Arsenal in a crunch Premier League fixture that will determine whether the Gunners can maintain their challenge for the title.
A surprising defeat to Aston Villa last time out saw Arsenal drop below Manchester City in the table and Mikel Arteta’s side are now chasing the champions once again. With City in FA Cup action today, Arsenal have the chance to build some pressure and regain top spot should they triumph at Molinuex. The visitors will have to shake off a disappointing loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League as they refocus their season on winning the top flight.
Gary O’Neil’s team are comfortably in the middle of the table with no threat of relegation. There is an outside chance they could sneak up to seventh and clinch European football next season but their main aim will be to make things as tricky as possible for Arsenal today. They have proven to be stubborn customers are home with wins over Tottenham, Chelsea and Man City here already this season.
Wolves are enjoying their first real spell of possession in the match, looking to feel out their opponents’ defensive shape. They won’t see too much of the ball in the 90 minutes with the visitors looking to dominate in that category, with the hosts more likely to threaten on the counter-attack.
20 April 2024 19:41
Trossard takes on and beats Doherty in an attempt to dig out a cross ahead of the byline, but Saka’s far-post header provides Sa with a comfortable save on his line.
20 April 2024 19:40
Trossard plays a diagonal pass into the penalty area from a position wide on the left, with Jesus looking to latch onto it. It’s a good idea from the Arsenal winger but he overhits his delivery, presenting the ball to the feet of the goalkeeper.
20 April 2024 19:38
Play is stopped temporarily ahead of an Arsenal free-kick in midfield, with Hwang and Gabriel colliding in awkward fashion. The pair should be okay to continue, but will need a moment to compose themselves before the set-piece.
20 April 2024 19:37
Jesus takes a touch to set himself before firing a shot towards goal from a pocket of space 20 yards out. It’s a disappointing effort that drifts harmlessly wide, with Sa restarting play from a goal-kick.
20 April 2024 19:35
Saka cuts inside from the right and lays it off to Odegaard, but the captain’s incisive pass through the lines looking for white is intercepted cleverly by Hugo Bueno.
20 April 2024 19:34
An early chance for Arsenal, as Kiwior hooks a first-time cross into the penalty area for Havertz. The bouncing ball finds the Germany international, whose half-volley forces a good save out of Sa.
20 April 2024 19:32
Wolves get the match underway from the kick-off!
20 April 2024 19:30