Player Ratings: Wolves 2-2 Arsenal - Gunners face inquest rather than celebration after disappointing night at Molineux

Rock-bottom Wolves stun Premier League leaders Arsenal by coming back from 2-0 down at wintry Molineux




Player Ratings: Wolves 2-2 Arsenal - Gunners face inquest rather than celebration after disappointing night at Molineux  

Rock-bottom Wolves stun Premier League leaders Arsenal by coming back from 2-0 down at wintry Molineux 

Gunners blow two-goal lead at Molineux as teen Tom Edozie 94th minute leveller provides title twist as Mikel Arteta's Arsenal falter 

Here's View From The Armchair's Player Ratings: 

David Raya: 4/10 - the history books will record a bitterly frustrating 2-2 draw, with two vital points dropped. Lack of height proved costly once more as the clean sheet vanishes after a decent curled finish by Hugo Buene from the edge of the box dragged Wolves back into the game, when the match appeared won. Calamitous error in injury time when coming for the catch, but missed it, and Wolves 19-year-old Tom Edozie marked a true Roy of the Rovers moment with his 94th minute equaliser.

Jurrien Timber: 5/10 - sloppy in possession, frustratingly so in the second half as we went looking for the killer third goal that never came. Very slow in possession, while playing in  second gear all night, nowhere near good enough.

William Saliba: 5/10 - held firm at the back at times but what should have been complete domination and three points, turned into an unmitigated disaster in injury time.

Gabriel: 5/10 - very dominant in the opening period, but such a costly mix up in injury time, horrific when you watch it back. Espeically knowing that it will breathe hope into every opposition fan in the league. A slide rule assist for Piero Hincapie's goal but a mixed bag tonight from our normally reliable Brazilian centre back

Piero Hincapie: 6/10 - With a bit of help from VAR the Ecuardor defender grabbed the goal we were craving to surely put this fixture to bed when slamming it home after beating the Wolves offside trap. Yet, we were collectively unable to hold on and make it three points on the road. One of our better performers on the night, not that that matters after we threw away two vital points - and against the team that is rock-bottom.

Declan Rice: 5/10 - perfect start with his assist for Saka's goal with a tantalsing cross. This match should have been a cakewalk - but there was too much midfield possession and not enough decisive goal threat for my liking. The England midfiedler must be absolutely furious at dropping those points but he needs to start leading the charge and hitting the back of the net if we are going to achieve anything this season.

Martin Zubimendi: 5/10 - main man in the defensive role in front of the back four, ultimately undone by a defensive mistake late on. Definitely needed more offensive action against the bottom place team though

Noni Madueke: 5/10 - subbed off on 64 minutes for Eze, having been largely anonymous. Not as anonymous as Gyokeres mind you, as he had lots of possession - but was not enough of a threat for me. Not sure why but we played with the handbrake on, but we were far too cautious all night.

Bukayo Saka:(c) 5/10 - Starboy gave us the perfect start when putting us 1-0 to the good after a fine delivery from Rice with a close range header after only five minutes on the clock. Replaced by Trossard on 72 minutes, and was on course for a good nights work until we conceded late on to make it an inquest instead of a celebration.

Gabriel Martinelli: 4/10 - super confident start in a potent attacking force but faded badly. Had a chance to make it 3-1 on 67 minutes but shot straight at the keeper's legs 

Viktor Gyokeres: 3/10 - erm, yer, well I saw him, he was on the pitch, good haircut, fresh fade, bald skin fade, very very close finish, that’s it that’s what I’ve got to report. Subbed on 64 minutes after another underwhelming display. 

Substitutes:

Ebere Eze: 5/10 - we needed a repeat of his heroics in the NLD but what we got was a flickering presence that failed to make an impact against relegation doomed Wolves. On balance I’d have been severely tempted to throw in the supposed second string we fielded against Wigan on Sunday rather than the starting XI that Arteta fielded tonight - that team was a lot more piercing than the one at Molineux.

Gabriel Jesus: 5/10 - got involved in a scrap as the whistle blew, when we needed to be calming the nerves not escalating the tension despite it being a disappointing night no doubt. One to forget.

Leo Trossard: 5/10 - went for an audacious Beckham-esque attempt just inside the halfway line on 74 minutes, but flew safely into keeper Sa's hands. Shoulder charged in injury time, which looks painful. Subbed off for Calafiori as a concussion worry it looks like,

Riccardo Calafiori: 4/10 - initially awarded an OG that makes it 2-2 as the clock runs down, prior to teenage Tom Edozie being given the goal. 

View From The Armchair Verdict 

A super super costly blow in terms of the title race - 2-0 up against the bottom team for it to finish 2-2 is simply not good enough

It felt like we were riding our luck all night, and not really going for it like we should have done. Playing with the handbrake on means we paid the price.

Make no mistake about it, the pressure is mounting for the title push. The only way to respond is by taking the three points on offer away in the upcoming NLD.

It’s a must. Nothing else will do.

COYG


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