Three Things We Learned after Arsenal edged past Wolves 

Wolves score three times yet still lose as we see the welcome return of ‘Lucky Arsenal’

Here are three things that stood out for Ian Mills

1 - Anger and frustration despite the win is a good sign:

– Social media was quickly awash with Declan’s Rice’s response to Arsenal’s winning goal, while a lot of players were jubilant, his reaction was more one of anger as he continually pointed to his head demanding that his teammates maintain concentration.

Martin Odegaard also reacted in a way you would expect from a captain in full recognition of a barely deserved win.

Mikel Arteta was also damming in his assessment of our defending for the Wolves’ goal.

Arteta’s public face to the media is usually in sharp contrast to the one he displays in the changing room (as the Amazon documentary clearly displayed) and you can be sure he would have given the team ‘both barrels’ after this performance.

Yes, it was a relief to win however this victory came against comfortably the worst team in this season’s Premier League (and potentially one of the worst in Premier League history) and we struggled throughout.

By all means celebrate a win however we also have to learn the lessons of what was very nearly a costly night and even more importantly, learn from them.

2 - Saka sparkles despite the general malaise:

– Bukayo Saka wore the armband for this fixture, and he was one of very players to do themselves justice.

He prompted and probed from the right-hand side all evening without much joy. That was until his second half corner was tipped onto the post by Sam Johnstone, before it rebounded off him and into the net.

While the delivery was good, it was poor goalkeeping and having just made a fine save from Rice, it was also the kind of thing that happens to the likes of Johnstone when you are rooted to the foot of the League.

As we sat back, we allowed Wolves to come onto us and what felt an inevitable equaliser duly arrived in the 90th minute via Tolu Arokodare’s header.

These are the games you need to find a way to win no matter how and Saka’s fine cross was met by the head of Yerson Mosquera who headed past Johnstone under pressure from Gabriel Jesus to enormous relief for three quarters of the crowd.

3 - A much needed week off before Everton test:

– we have a ‘free’ week for the first time since August and having suffered more injury woes with Ben White’s hamstring ruling him out for at least five weeks, we need to use this time well.

Our defence has understandably looked more vulnerable recently given all the changes and our attack is not functioning as it should.

Whether Viktor Gyokeres, Mikel Merino or Jesus start as the striker at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, we are likely to kick off in second place with Manchester City playing West Ham at home earlier in the day.

It will certainly be a test and one we need to pass in this continuing hectic festive period.