Arsenal dealt top-four blow by Wolves

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Arsenal’s hopes of a top-four finish suffered another significant blow as Wolves eased past Unai Emery’s side 3-1 at Molineux on Wednesday evening.

Arsenal stay fifth in the Premier League, a place outside of the Champions League spots, after their second defeat in less than a week.

The Gunners needed to avoid defeat to regain fourth place from Chelsea but the hosts ripped them apart with three goals in 19 first-half minutes from Ruben Neves (28), Matt Doherty (37) and Diogo Jota (45+2).

Sokratis gave Arsenal hope of a late comeback, heading in from a corner in the 80th minute but it proved to be only a consolation as Emery’s team followed Sunday’s loss to Crystal Palace with another serious setback.

A first top-flight victory over the Gunners since 1979 sees Wolves, who move up to seventh, add another top-six scalp to their record following wins over Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham this season.

How Wolves ripped apart Arsenal

Arsenal started brightly and enjoyed lots of early possession, but things quickly unravelled for the visitors after Neves gave Wolves the lead in the 28th minute, curling home a 20-yard free-kick after Nacho Monreal had fouled Jonny.

Ruben Neves celebrates after giving Wolves the lead at home to Arsenal

Wolves quickly doubled their advantage in the 37th minute, exploiting Arsenal’s frailties when defending set-pieces. With Bernd Leno in no man’s land, Doherty headed in Jonny’s cross.

It then went from bad to worse for Arsenal on the stroke of half-time, with Jota firing through Leno, who should have done better, to make the game all but safe.

It could have got even better for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side at the start of the second half but the impressive Jota could not control Raul Jimenez’s cross when unmarked at the far post.

Unai Emery appears in contemplative mood as he walks along the touchline at Molineux

Arsenal had 71 per cent of possession but were bereft of a cutting edge in the final third.

They eventually managed to get on the scoresheet when Sokratis rose above Neves in the six-yard box to head in Granit Xhaka’s corner at the far post, but it proved only to be a consolation, leaving them with it all to do in the top-four battle.

Top-four race: Sky Bet odds…

Man of the Match – Diogo Jota

Jota epitomised Wolves’ energetic display. He was a bundle of energy and was a constant threat for the hosts as they looked to counter-attack Arsenal at every opportunity.

Jota, got his reward for his excellent display by scoring Wolves’ third on the stroke of half-time, has now been directly involved in seven goals in his last five Premier League appearances for Wolves at Molineux (5 goals, 2 assists).

Opta stats

• Wolves have ended their 20-game winless streak against Arsenal (D4 L16), with this their first victory against the Gunners in all competitions since September 1979.
• This is Arsenal’s heaviest Premier League defeat against a newly promoted team since a 2-0 loss to Newcastle United in May 1994.
• Wolves are one of three promoted sides to have beaten at least four sides to finish that season in the top six in a single Premier League campaign, after Sunderland in 1996-97 and Blackburn in 1992-93.
• Wolves are the first newly-promoted team to earn 50 points in a Premier League season since Birmingham in 2009-10.
• Only Jimenez (23) has been directly involved in more Wolves goals in all competitions this season than Doherty (15; 8 goals and 7 assists).
• Neves has more goals (4) than he has touches (3) in the opposition’s box in the Premier League this season. Only Charlie Mulgrew (10) and Harry Wilson (9) have scored more goals from outside the box since the start of last season in the top four English tiers than Neves (8).

What’s next?

Arsenal are back in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Sunday when they travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester. Kick-off is at 12pm with our coverage getting underway at 11.30am on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.

Leicester vs Arsenal

April 28, 2019, 11:30am

Live on

Meanwhile, Wolves have the chance to avenge their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Watford when they travel to Vicarage Road on Saturday to face Javi Gracia’s side, kick-off at 3pm.

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