Wolves fell to a gut-wrenching late defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday evening after a 95th minute Jose Sa own goal gave Arsenal their second victory of Bruno Lage’s men in just three weeks. Wolves started extremely well and took the lead through Hwang Hee Chan after just twelve minutes. However, Wolves failed to sustain their good start and were under pressure for most of the game. Despite all the possession, Arsenal created little in the way of clear-cut chances but drew level through Pepe with eight minutes to go. Just as the game looked to be closing out with an impressive draw for Wolves, Lacazette got the better of Romain Saiss, whose deflected effort was guided in by the outstretched arm of Sa. It was the worst possible way to lose a football match, but Wolves only have themselves to blame.
Jose Sa
An unusually nervy display from the Wolves shot stopper who did not look comfortable throughout the game. He came for a cross more than once but failed to claim and gave the ball away far too easily with his long distribution. He did pull off several good saves to make amends and could do little more with Lacazette’s late deflected strike. 6/10
Max Kilman
A solid defensive performance from Max Kilman who even had the acclaim of the Wolves fans in the second half. He, like many others, struggled to deal with the Arsenal press meaning Wolves lost possession in dangerous areas. 7/10
Conor Coady
Like Kilman, Coady was relatively solid throughout, but struggled to get a foothold in the game to keep possession. His surging run forwards in the second half was desperately unlucky to be pulled back for a ‘foul’ on Ben White. 6/10
Romain Saiss
Saiss struggled to deal with the pace of the Arsenal back line at times but often recovered with a last-ditch tackle in the area. He will be disappointed with his part in both goals as Lacazette got the better of him in the area. 5/10
Nelson Semedo
Dealt with almost everything that came his way defensively without having any real impact on the game with the ball. He was withdrawn on the hour mark with a hamstring injury. 6/10
Joao Moutinho
A poor performance from Moutinho who struggled with the pace and intensity of the game in the middle of the park. Wolves could not keep the ball in any area of the pitch but were also far too easy to get through in midfield. A game that perhaps highlights the lack of recruitment in midfield in recent transfer windows. 5/10
Ruben Neves
Failed to live up to the heights of recent performances, but this was no different to many others on the pitch. Neves tried to get on the ball and make things happen, but it simply would not stick for Wolves. He certainly tried to win the ball back wherever possible, but the Arsenal midfield were often too strong. 6/10
Rayan Ait-Nouri
One of Wolves’ better players on the pitch despite a few defensive mishaps. Looked to get on the ball wherever possible and wanted to get forward during the second half. His dangerous run in the final five minutes teed up Pedro Neto was a huge chance to win the game. 7/10
Daniel Podence
Wasn’t for the want of trying but Podence struggled to have any real impact on the game, not helped by the inability of his teammates to keep the ball around him. 6/10
Raul Jimenez
There was certainly some warranted criticism for Jimenez after another sub-standard performance. He has failed to kick on from his goal against Tottenham and this was a big contributing factor to Wolves’ poor performance. 5/10
Hwang Hee Chan
Easily Wolves’ best player on the pitch whose endeavour to press Arsenal high up the pitch and win the ball back in dangerous areas led to almost every chance Wolves created. He got his deserved early goal and could easily have had a second early in the second half. 8/10
Subs:
Jonny Castro Otto
A very welcome sight to see Jonny back on the pitch after his injury nightmare in the past two years. He played at right back replacing the injured Nelson Semedo and was solid for his half an hour cameo. More importantly he looked sharp and match fit, a huge boost for Wolves in the final third of the season. 7/10
Pedro Neto
Desperately unlucky not to put Wolves back in front with just minutes remaining in an effort that should have resulted in a corner. He was lively and, like Jonny, will be a massive boost for Wolves in the closing stages of the season. 7/10
Leander Dendoncker
Played the final moments of the game as Wolves tried and failed to hold on to their point. N/A
Ciaran Barker is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow him on Twitter here.