Arsenal Vs Wolves: 5 things we learned – Mikel Arteta’s best performance

3. Champions League not out of the equation just yet

Prior to football’s restart, Arsenal harboured faint hopes of reclaiming Champions League qualification. With Manchester City banned from European competition for two years, a top-five place would be enough to do it, and the Gunners were on the edge of the race.

After losses to Manchester City and Brighton, it seemed as though those hopes had been entirely scuppered. But, thanks to the unpredictability of the Premier League and the poor results from those in and around the top half, Arsenal are not entirely out of the race. And now, after three wins in three matches, including this against a direct rival, leaves them on the cusp of breaking into the top six positions.

Earlier in the day, Manchester United produced another excellent performance to move into the top four. However, they are still only six points clear and not uncatchable during the final weeks of the campaign. Wolves are now within three points, while Spurs and Sheffield United have begun to fall off the pace.

Arsenal still have lots of work to do. But if they can beat Leicester City and Spurs this week they will move to within six points of the former and well clear of the latter. The Champions League is not out of reach just yet, however ridiculous that sounds to say.

<p>Here are five things we learned.</p> <div id="attachment_102982" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102982" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1254254951-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal and Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal FC at Molineux on July 04, 2020 in Wolverhampton, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Egerton/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>5. Sead Kolasinac is a mess</h4> <p>This was not the perfect performance from Arsenal. Granit Xhaka was very poor in central midfield, Wolves dictated play for large portions, especially in the second half, and it required some wasteful finishing and hard work late on to seal the victory, but of all the problems, none were as disastrous as<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=sead+kolasinac%22> Sead Kolasinac</a> at left centre-half.</p> <p>Defensively, he was all over the place. Kieran Tierney berated him on several occasions in the first half for leaving the wing-back in two vs. ones. He committed far too many fouls, was rolled by Adama Traore time and time again, cleared poorly from set-pieces, and often raced into midfield only to bypassed by clever Wolves combination.</p> <p>In possession, he was even worse. He took far too long to release passes, then invariably played inaccurate ones when he did. He panicked whenever the ball came close to him and he provided little angle for David Luiz to feed him in a way that pushes beyond the initial line of the Wolves press. Kolasinac was as an utter mess and he will cost Arsenal points in the future.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. Arteta substitutions were excellent </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_102991" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102991" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1224654466-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by MICHAEL STEELE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>4. Arteta substitutions were excellent</h4> <p>Since the restart, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=sead+kolasinac%22>Mikel Arteta’s</a> in-game management has either been questionable or hamstrung by events on the pitch like injuries and sendings off. For all of the positive impact he has had on the team, and it has been plentiful, one of the question marks remaining over his management was how he managed games with his substitutions. Here, it was superb.</p> <p>Bringing Ainsley Maitland-Niles on for Kieran Tierney immediately helped to contain the Adama Traore threat. His greater pace and athleticism mean he is better-suited to one-on-ones against the electric Wolves attacker. Hector Bellerin had a similar impact on the opposite flank, freshening up both wing-back positions.</p> <p>Joe Willock was excellent in place of Bukayo Saka, providing legs and ball-carrying ability. Lucas Torreira was everywhere in the midfield, breaking up play and preventing Wolves from driving forwards, and then Alexandre Lacazette replicated Eddie Nketiah’s work-rate before scoring his first away goal in over a year with a lovely touch and finish. Every substitution made a positive impact, and for that, Arteta deserves great credit.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Champions League not out of the equation just yet </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_102986" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102986" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1254265443-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Joe Willock, Alexandre Lacazette" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal, Joe Willock, Alexandre Lacazette (Photo by Mike Egerton/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>3. Champions League not out of the equation just yet</h4> <p>Prior to football’s restart, Arsenal harboured faint hopes of reclaiming Champions League qualification. With Manchester City banned from European competition for two years, a top-five place would be enough to do it, and the Gunners were on the edge of the race.</p> <div class="recent-posts "> <h4>More from <b>Pain in the Arsenal</b></h4> <ul> <li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/"> Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/"> When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury? </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/"> 2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/"> Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023 </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/"> Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start? </a> </li></ul> </div> <p>After losses to Manchester City and Brighton, it seemed as though those hopes had been entirely scuppered. But, thanks to the unpredictability of the Premier League and the poor results from those in and around the top half, Arsenal are not entirely out of the race. And now, after three wins in three matches, including this against a direct rival, leaves them on the cusp of breaking into the top six positions.</p> <p>Earlier in the day, Manchester United produced another excellent performance to move into the top four. However, they are still only six points clear and not uncatchable during the final weeks of the campaign. Wolves are now within three points, while Spurs and Sheffield United have begun to fall off the pace.</p> <p>Arsenal still have lots of work to do. But if they can beat Leicester City and Spurs this week they will move to within six points of the former and well clear of the latter. The Champions League is not out of reach just yet, however ridiculous that sounds to say.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Move the ball quicker </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_102977" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102977" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1254256622-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JULY 04: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal FC at Molineux on July 04, 2020 in Wolverhampton, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>2. Move the ball quicker</h4> <p>The first half was a very tactical and controlled affair. Neither team wanted to expose themselves. Not conceding space was of the utmost priority for both and ensuring that they kept their opponents in front was the name of the game. As such, with Wolves sitting deep and difficult to break down, Arsenal needed to move the ball quickly. They didn’t.</p> <p>Especially before the drinks break, they took painfully long to release passes out of the back three. All three defenders were guilty of slowing down the play. They were not only culprits, however. Granit Xhaka hid in midfield, not showing for the ball like his Wolves counterparts, while the movement among the front three was either limited or 50 yards up the pitch, thus requiring a difficult long pass to bypass the Wolves ranks. Arsenal could not play through the thirds.</p> <p>When they did, though, they found success, as evidenced by the first goal. The move starts with Emiliano Martinez. Arsenal move the ball quickly across the back three, out to Cedric who then finds Aubameyang who immediately tees up Kieran Tierney out wide. Tierney plays a first-time cross and Bukayo Saka provides a first-time finish. The ball moved quickly and it paid dividends.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. Where has the game management come from? </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_102992" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-102992" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1254263882-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>1. Where has the game management come from?</h4> <p>For 25 minutes after half-time, Arsenal struggled to contain Wolves. The hosts played through Mikel Arteta’s side easily, created several excellent chances, and dominated the game, not allowing any counter-attacks whatsoever. Then Arsenal switched on and saw out a narrow lead to secure a crucial three points.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia"> <div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_102966" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/PainintheArsenal/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet") .addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet"); }); </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>The final half 20 minutes was an excellent portrayal of dealing with a pressing opponent and protecting a lead. From winning fouls in the final third to release pressure to stout defending, remaining positionally sound and well-structured, it was a superb performance to see out the victory.</p> <p>Arsenal even showed a dirty side. They stayed down after winning freekicks. Lucas Torreira was booked for time-wasting at a corner. They took the ball to the corner to run out the clock. They fouled when they had to to prevent Wolves attacks and cleared the ball rather than attempting to play out from the back.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal Vs Wolves: Player ratings" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-wolverhampton-player-ratings/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-vs-wolves-5-things-learned-mikel-arteta-best-performance/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/04/arsenal-wolverhampton-player-ratings/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal Vs Wolves: Player ratings </a> </div> </div> <p>Arsenal managed the game brilliantly, and that is something that has rarely been said about this team.</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">