Arsenal won their season opener 2-0 over Wolverhampton Wanderers. This was not the prettiest match Mikel Arteta’s men have ever played but that’s expected as it is the first game of the season. The players are still working themselves into game shape and Arteta is still refining his tactics.

For the game, it was an uneven performance by the Gunners. Wolves, at times, swarmed the defense with David Raya being called into action. He made a handful of saves, on the way to a clean sheet, including one where he was drifting left but the shot went right and he swatted it away with this right hand. He had a very good performance. The 4 in-front of him were patchy at best. William Saliba, one of the best defenders in the Premier League, was caught out of position multiple times. On the afore mentioned Raya hand save, Saliba should’ve been marking the Wolves striker closer, so Jørgen Strand Larsen wasn’t able to get his head on the cross. Saliba also had a terrible giveaway in the 2nd half, where he kicked it straight to a Wolves player on the edge of the Arsenal box, luckily David Raya was alert and made the save. Oleksandr Zinchenko was handed a shock start at left-back. The Ukrainian wasn’t good and had to be hauled off for Jurrien Timber around the 70th minute. It was a little curious Mikel Arteta started him after, reportedly, putting him on the transfer list earlier in the summer. Not much interest was generated around the player though, and now it looks like he’s set to stay. Which is a little weird since Arsenal just spent a hefty fee on Italian CB/LB Riccardo Calafiori who will, presumably, start most games once he’s gets up to speed at the club. And Timber, who missed most of 2023/24 due to an ACL injury, can play CB/RB/LB and will be in contention for all 3. It sounds cliche, but he’s kind of like a new signing. Zinchenko, to his credit, is very good getting forward and picking out a pass but lacks any and all awareness when it comes to defense. If a team plays 11 behind the ball and force Arsenal to break them down, then maybe Zinchenko’s skill-set will come in handy, otherwise he’s going to be on the bench a lot. Make no bones about it, if he play’s the opponent will target him consistently. Ben White and Gabriel Magalhães were solid, if unspectacular.

Two-thirds of the starting attack were very good and got on the score sheet. We must start with right-winger Bukayo Saka. He is the best, most talented and most prolific goal-scorer on the roster. It’s been an absolute pleasure watching him develop as a teenager, playing at LB, to now seeing him start for Arsenal and England, and spearheading their attack, regularly and asked to produce in big moments. He’s our starboy and Arsenal will go as far as he takes them. Against Wolverhampton, he was his usual excellent self. Which is extraordinary because he’s only just returned from holiday after starring for England in the Euro’s over the summer.

His cross to Kai Havertz for the 1st goal was simply perfect. He received the ball on the right, just outside of the Wolves box, surveyed the scene and took a couple of touches before sending the ball in. It was impressive because the ball just floated over the Wolves players with Kai the only one to rise up and meet it, heading it past the ‘keeper for the first goal of the season.

Bukayo Saka also scored a very important goal around the 75th minute, as Wolves had been getting forward and generating shots on target looking to equalizer. He, again, received the ball on the right, just outside the box, skated past LB Rayan Aït-Nouri, found a small pocket of space and shot it near-post past GK José Sá for the 2nd Arsenal goal. A few minutes later, Arteta subbed him off for Leandro Trossard. On social media there was a bit of consternation surrounding his taking off. Which was weird because it’s the first game of the new season and he came into preseason late. Plus, Saka is fundamental to the team’s success and has worn down in previous seasons. No reason to risk an injury this early since he hasn’t had time to build his fitness back up, right?

The only player in attack who wasn’t impressive was left-winger Gabriel Martinelli. Someone said he’s the best head-down player in the world and that has never left my mind. The kid has all the physical tool’s and plenty of skill to boot. It just drives me insane the way he never picks his head up when he dribbles to scan the field and pick a pass. Against Wolves, he used his athleticism to get himself into good attacking positions but wasn’t able to score or assist. His ability to find an end product, either pass or shoot, will determine how his Arsenal career goes.

The midfield, a very strong trio of Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice and Thomas Partey, was unusually quiet. A number of times Wolves were able to carry the ball right through the heart of midfield, unsettling the defense, and generating attacking chances. It almost cost the Gunners a couple of times. At least Ødegaard was trying to get the attack started, had a good shot on target and was pressing his ass off. The captain did his duty and will only grow more influential as the weeks go on. He is another very important piece of the Arsenal puzzle as the main creator. Getting the best out of him will be a priority for Mikel Arteta. Partey was able to break the defense down a couple of times with his passing, although he looked incredibly slow tracking back when Wolves were able to break in transition. He isn’t going to last an entire campaign, so Arsenal better hurry up and sign Mikel Merino. Rice was slightly disappointing and had to come off due to cramps. He looked a little jaded after also starring for England this summer. Arteta will need to get with his physio team to come up with a plan to boost his physical ability, as he’s such a significant performer within the squad.

Two very strange incident’s happened in the match, with both involving Wolves center-back Yerson Mosquera. The first once came when Mosquera and Kai Havertz got into a tussle and both fell to the ground. Kai was on the floor and Yerson fell on him, with all his might and hand pressed against Kai’s throat. It was shocking in the moment and even more shocking when VAR checked and waved play on, no foul. From that point on both were talking back-and-forth, probably nothing nice.

The second incident was even stranger, if that’s possible. Gabriel Jesus was called for a foul, bent over and stood close to the Wolves free-kick. Yerson took exception, cupped Jesus’ butt and looked like he tried to insert a few fingers up his bootyhole. Gabi was none to happy and pushed Mosquera to the floor. Unfortunately, the ref saw this as a yellow card offense and booked Jesus but not Mosquera. Sure, the “dark-arts” are apart of football but this crosses so many lines. Physical and sexual assault shouldn’t be celebrated, as many Wolves fans were cheering on these behaviors online. Just gross, guys. It remains to be seen if he will face any retroactive punishment for his disgusting, and frankly dangerous, antics. There are more than a few nasty, dirty players in the Premier League but none worse than this perverted degenerate.

A 2-0 home win gets the job done with plenty of things to work on going forward like match fitness, concentration levels and playing at game speed. Aston Villa, and former Gunners manager, Unai Emery, are up next for The Arsenal as they travel to Villa Park. The Villains certainly lived up to their name as they pulled off the double against Arsenal last season, including a 2-0 win at the Emirates that effectively ended the Gunners title chances. Payback is in order. It’s their home opener, so why not go and spoil the party? COYG.