Wolves 0-2 Arsenal
by Layth Yousif
at Molineux

MARTIN ODEGAARD’S second half brace helped Arsenal to an improbable five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday, ahead of the unwanted break for a tainted World Cup.

The Gunners started the top vs bottom clash knowing that a victory would see them ease to a startling gap clear of the chasing pack, including second place Manchester City, who, surprisingly, lost 2-1 at home to Brentford earlier in the day.

Mikel Arteta started with the same team that laid yet another title marker down for the unbelievers last weekend, during the 1-0 win at Chelsea. It was clear to see why in the early stages, despite interim Wolves boss Steve Davis playing five at the back, in a bid to smother the North Londoners’ attacking flair.

Jesus thought he had put the away side ahead in the early stages, following a perceptive ball into the box from Gabi Martinelli as the former City striker finished emphatically – but was ruled out for offside. You could feel the frustration of his goalless run in the thump he gave the ball in such a clinical finish before it was ruled out.

Predictably, the headlines would be about a penalty that never was, when William Saliba tapped Goncalo Guedes in the box, just as the assistant flagged him offside. 

Replays showed the Wolves attacker was onside but a swift quick VAR check did not overturn the decision – in a call that left Davis bemused.

With forthcoming new boss Julen Lopetegui being paraded to the Wolves faithful, Davis has been a dignified figure in attempting to steer this grand old club away from the relegation places. Yet, even he was left frustrated, “Why do we have VAR if they can’t make a decision, or they don’t make a decision when they should do?" asked Davis plaintively after the match.

Arsenal continued to search for a lead that would see them top the table at Christmas for the first time since 2007.

Fourteen minutes in, Bukayo Saka forced a corner that Gunners defender Gabriel headed wide when well-placed. Moments later, Granit Xhaka was forced from the pitch to be replaced by Fabio Vieira after a disturbing bout of public sickness. 

In a frenetic Saturday night atmosphere, Wolves sensed an opening with Guedes shooting narrowly wide after the side in Old Gold broke through Arsenal lines.

It was the Gunners’ turn now, when Gabriel headed the wrong side of the post after Oleksandr Zinchenko played in the No9, following good work by Vieira along the channel. Jesus was next to try, with his shot thudding the bar and over 10 minutes before the interval, prior to angling his latest effort the wrong side of Jose Sa’s near post – but still the goal would not come against the league's bottom side.

Despite the odd blip, Saliba has had an excellent season, but with 60 seconds remaining until half time the French defender inextricably allowed Guedes in on goal. The Wolves No17, shocked at being handed such an unexpected chance, steadied himself before firing wide, thereby spurning the home side’s best chance of an absorbing, if not overly entertaining, opening 45 minutes.

However, 11 minutes after the interval, the deadlock was finally broken, when Odegaard fired home to put the league leaders ahead — as the players and vociferous travelling support celebrated wildly in the West Midlands.

Arsenal’s five-point lead over the moneybags of Manchester City was confirmed with 15 minutes to go when Odegaard grabbed his second of the match.

Twelve victories and 37 points represents Arsenal’s best record 14 games into a season. Yet Arteta knows there is so much more to be achieved. 

“They can enjoy it and embrace the moment,” Arteta said afterwards. “They should feel part of what's happening because they have an incredible power, the way they have transformed the club, the unity they have generated across the club, and the players are delighted.

“I will have a few days’ break and then we’ll just have to prepare, because this period I think is going to be key. It’s going to be demanding, it’s going to be challenging. We need to be ready for it.”

History beckons if Arsenal can keep winning — including two matches against Pep Guardiola’s City in 2023 — but first, this damned World Cup. 

For now though, Gunners fans everywhere can savour their side leading the table after a stirring start to the season, a campaign now shamefully curtailed by the stench of corruption and discrimination in Qatar.