In a week that saw Chelsea and Liverpool both drop points, a fixture against Wolverhampton was definitely a great chance for Arsenal to pick up points and move into the top four. First half goals for both sides, Gervinho and Steven Fletcher, and some magnificent saves from Hennessey ensured a vital point for Wolves, and a disappointing point for Arsenal.
Missed Opportunities
Arsenal obviously disappointed to get the win, can at least take solace in the fact that it wasn’t because they were poor on the day. Arsenal, I thought, created more than enough chances to win, and if it weren’t for some stellar goal keeping from Hennessy the score line could have easily been lopsided in Arsenal’s favour.
In the first half alone Arsenal could have put the game away but failed to find a killer ball to find a second goal only to have the Wolves comeback and find an equalizer which was maybe a bit unlucky for the Arsenal defence.
Arshavin
Many Arsenal fans have become frustrated with Arshavin’s poor form lately and he has become the speculation of many rumors heading into the January transfer window. Arsene Wenger week after week has given Arshavin an opportunity to play to get his confidence up and win back some if not all of the Arsenal fans.
Arshavin was yet again named on the bench and came on with about 30 minutes left in the match. In my mind this was one of Arshavin’s better games this year. Although he wasn’t able to come on and completely change the game, he wasn’t a liability to Arsenal.
No one is sure what exactly Wenger is thinking with Arshavin although considering that Wenger is now willing to bring in Park and Oxlade-Chambelain into the first team, it has to strongly be considered that Arshavin’s days at Arsenal are numbered.
Gervinho’s Progression
This was in my mind on of Gervinho’s better performances for Arsenal this year. Although he still has a long way to go to be consistent in the Premier league, Gervinho looked dangerous most of the time that he had the ball.
The goal he scored in this match, was a type of goal that he would have messed up a couple weeks ago. He looked comfortable attacking the Wolves defence and on many occasions created openings for his teammates to try and put something by Hennessy.
Spectacular Hennessy- Man of the Match
Arsenal had continuous pressure in the Wolverhampton half and a bad tackle from Nenad Milijas, which got him sent off, only increased the Arsenal pressure on the Wolverhampton defence.
Arsenal were able to produce some great movements and get close on several opportunities but Wolves goal keeper Wayne Hennessey produced some magnificent saves from all different angles.
The Wolves defence opened up on quite a few occasions and only Hennessey could keep Arsenal from scoring, and for this reason he is the Arsenal Latest MOTM
Follow Aasim Hashim on Twitter @aasimhashim
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