Arsenal made a flying begin to their bid to win the Premier League title as targets from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka sealed a 2-0 victory in opposition to Wolves on Saturday. Germany ahead Havertz put Mikel Arteta’s facet forward within the first half on the Emirates Stadium and England winger Saka wrapped up the factors after the interval. It was precisely the type of assertion Arsenal wanted after Arteta admitted they should be nearly good to finish Manchester City’s four-year reign as champions.
Arsenal loved a record-breaking 2023/24 marketing campaign, profitable extra video games than ever earlier than within the division, however have been nonetheless pipped to the title.
City completed two factors above Arsenal because the Gunners have been compelled to accept a runners-up berth for a second successive season. Arsenal have not gained the title since Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ went unbeaten by means of the 2003-04 league marketing campaign.
But the painful near-misses endured by Arteta’s males haven’t dulled their urge for food for fulfillment, with Arteta’s quirky man-management fuelling the hearth. Arteta employed a gaggle {of professional} pickpockets to show his squad a beneficial lesson within the close-season.
Unaware of the pickpockets’ presence at a crew dinner, Arsenal’s gamers have been relieved of their valuables as Arteta took the chance to remind them to be alert always, on and off the pitch. Stealing the Premier League title from City will not be really easy for Arteta.
Arteta has up to now opted in opposition to signing the striker that many regard because the lacking piece in Arsenal’s title jigsaw. Riccardo Calafiori was Arteta’s main close-season signing from Bologna, however the Italy defender was solely named on the bench.
Arteta has been linked with Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino however regardless of the decision for brand new recruits, there was scant proof of any Arsenal flaws within the north London sunshine.
Thunderous strike
The Gunners have been shortly on the entrance foot as Ben White’s deflected effort was saved by Jose Sa. Saka compelled Sa right into a effective cease moments later because the Wolves keeper sprawled to maintain out a low drive.
Arsenal had all of the momentum in opposition to a Wolves facet with little inventive ambition and it was no shock once they took the lead within the twenty fifth minute. As he was so usually final season, Saka was the catalyst with a pin-point cross that picked out Havertz, who utilized the of entirety with a medical header.
After exhibiting little attacking ambition, Wolves have been woken from their slumber by Havertz’s opener. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s fierce long-range strike flashed simply over earlier than Jorgen Strand Larse’s header drew an agile save from David Raya.
Arsenal nonetheless completed the half within the ascendency as Declan Rice’s flick reached Gabriel Martinelli and his roller deflected narrowly over. On high once more after the interval, Arteta’s facet went shut by means of Havertz’s chip earlier than Thomas Partey drilled simply huge.
Arsenal briefly misplaced their composure as Rayan Ait-Nouri’s 25-yard strike whistled previous the publish. Matheus Cunha shot straight at Raya after Arsenal gave the ball away on the again.
But the Gunners completed strongly and Martin Odegaard’s effort was pushed out by Sa earlier than Saka struck within the 74th minute. A flowing transfer climaxed with Saka lashing a thunderous strike previous Sa as Arsenal underlined their want to wrestle the title away from City.
