Arsenal have collected just four points from out last six Premier League matches after slumping to a 1-2 loss at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday night.
The game was marred by an early head clash between David Luiz and Raul Jiminez that saw the latter rushed to hospital.
Wolves deserved their opening goal when it came on 27 minutes. Neto rebounded home from six yards after Leander Dendoncker had headed against the face of the crossbar.
Their lead only lasted three minutes though as Willian put in an excellent cross from the right wing for Gabriel to convert with a bullet header.
However, the visitors were back in front just before half-time as Bernd Leno could only parry Neto’s deflected effort. Daniel Podence wanted the rebound more and fired the ball home.
Bukayo Saka missed a half chance after the break, Reiss Nelson fired a good opportunity over the bar and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be disappointed to head a good chance wide as we failed in our search for an equaliser.
Here are my player ratings from Arsenal 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers:
Bernd Leno 5 – A little disappointing for the second goal. Had made a good save to deny Conor Coady earlier. Not a lot to do after the break.
Hector Bellerin 2 – Dismal defending on both goals – lost his man for the first goal and ran out of position for the second. Wasn’t too bad in possession himself but created little going forward.
David Luiz 4 – Looked dazed after the head injury and shouldn’t have lasted as long as half-time. David Luiz had blood pouring through his bandages and simply looked like it may have finished the half with a concussion.
Gabriel 6 – Maybe could have done better in clearing their first goal off the line, scored an excellent header of his own straight after. Made a few blocks and covered some good ground, Gabriel was certainly our best of a bad bunch in defence today.
Kieran Tierney 3 – Torn apart by Adama Traore, whose cross led to the first goal.
Dani Ceballos 3 – Failed to stop Wolves’ attacks through the middle and his passing was off-colour this evening. A really poor effort from Dani Ceballos but the manager had few options to replace him with.
Granit Xhaka 3 – A poor effort defensively as Wolves’ central midfield were able to dictate the game. Mostly looked after the ball in possession without having much influence in attack.
Willian 5 – Excellent cross for our goal and put in a couple more crosses that led to nothing. Generally Willian struggled.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 4 – Didn’t have his shooting boots on today as only one of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s efforts forced a save out of Rui Patricio. Barely got involved in the game as the central striker for 80 minutes, prior to Alexandre Lacazette being introduced.
Bukayo Saka 6 – Out most inventive player on the pitch but was rusty, which isn’t a big surprise given he hadn’t trained since the draw at Leeds.
Substitutes
Rob Holding 6 (45 mins) – Had less work to do than our defence in the first half as Wolves gradually got deeper and sat off as the second half went on.
Reiss Nelson (27 mins) 5 – A lively showing from Reiss Nelson, who fired a decent opportunity over the bar. Deserves to start ahead of Willian.
Alexandre Lacazette (12 mins) N/A – Barely had a touch of the ball, let alone a shot.
