Wolves manager hails Arsenal stars who did something ‘incredible’ on Saturday

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Wolves boss Gary O’Neil was left to rue Arsenal’s ‘incredible’ second goal as Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard combined beautifully during Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League victory at the Emirates Stadium. 

The former Bournemouth manager has had his fair share of gripes in recent weeks, VAR seemingly determined to test the limits of O’Neil’s rapidly dwindling patience. But the Wolverhampton Wanderers coach could have few such complaints about the way Arsenal carved through his backline with just 13 minutes on the clock. 

There was no controversy this time around. Just class, composure and a clinical finish to boot. 

Zinchenko played a rapid-fire one-two with Gabriel Jesus before setting up Odegaard to slot home with an inch-perfect pull-back. It was a goal which would not have looked out of place in the Arsene Wenger heyday, Odegaard in the Cesc Fabregas role as he converted with poise and panache. 

Martin Odegaard secures Arsenal win over Wolves

“I’m frustrated with the first goal because it was something we worked hard on. Getting good numbers around (Buyako) Saka,” O’Neil tells the Wolves website. “And maybe we were a little bit indecisive in our penalty area. 

“The second goal was obviously an incredible goal.”

Wolves, to their credit, did make a fight of it against an Arsenal side who must have been dreaming of a repeat of that 6-0 midweek hammering of RC Lens. Matheus Cunha, outstanding after the interval, halved the deficit late on shortly after turning Declan Rice into Declan Risotto with a typically barnstorming run.

Arsenal clear at the top

“We came here with a lot of people missing,” O’Neil adds. “We were short on numbers. And the way the lads stuck together, the way they found a way back into the game and kept going. (They) never gave up.  

“2-1 down, (we) managed to give Arsenal a few scares. So I was pleased with the performance and the commitment but going 2-0 down makes things difficult.”

Arsenal are now two points clear at the top of the table. Extending their lead over reigning champions Manchester City thanks to a little help from their, erm, ‘friends’ from down the road in North London.