Arsenal began their Premier League campaign with a comfortable victory over Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.
Kai Havertz opened the scoring for the Gunners with a first-half header from Bukayo Saka’s cross. Saka then doubled the lead after the break with a powerful left-foot shot into the right corner, capitalizing on a quickly taken free-kick that caught the visitors off guard.
Although Arsenal were not at their best, they remained in control throughout the match and deserved their win against determined opponents.
Wolves debutant Jorgen Strand Larsen had a first-half header well saved by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, and substitute Matheus Cunha had a tame effort straight at Raya while Wolves were chasing an equalizer.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil can have little complaint about the result, as his side created few clear-cut opportunities during the match.
Havertz shines as Arsenal pay tribute to Campbell
Before the match, the stadium paid an emotional tribute to former Arsenal forward Kevin Campbell, who passed away at the age of 54 earlier this summer. Campbell, who won four major trophies with the club and was part of their 1990-91 title-winning team, was fondly remembered by fans and players alike.
Arsenal’s opening goal, reminiscent of Campbell’s prime, saw Kai Havertz dart between two defenders to powerfully head Bukayo Saka’s cross past Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa. The Germany international’s relentless energy troubled Wolves throughout the match, and much of Arsenal’s first-half opportunities stemmed from their intense pressing and Wolves’ errant defensive passes.
Struggling to navigate through Arsenal’s relentless defense, Wolves allowed Saka two additional chances to extend Arsenal’s lead. Martin Odegaard’s blistering long-range shot, which Sa tipped away, was their best effort in the second half until Saka’s goal capped off a satisfactory start to the season for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Toothless Wolves need reinforcements
Wolves have brought in almost £100m from the sales of Max Kilman and Pedro Neto over the summer.
But on this evidence they will almost certainly need to reinvest further before the summer transfer window closes on Friday, 30 August.
While Norway international Strand Larsen, who arrived on loan from Celta Vigo, saw his first-half effort well saved, fellow new acquisition Rodrigo Gomes was relatively subdued on the wing.
And there was a cutting edge missing from Wolves’ attacking play throughout which undermined a relatively healthy 47% of possession.
O’Neil’s side carved out only three chances of note, and of those one was gifted to them when Raya and Gunners defender William Saliba presented the ball to Cunha on the edge of their own penalty area.
Wolves also covered around eight kilometres less than the hosts and O’Neill will be aware that more application and guile needs to be added over the coming months.
Player of the match
B. Saka