Arsenal vs Wolves Rview « Football Blog – Football News

Nicklas Bendtner comes off the bench and scores late on to give Arsenal a 1-0 win against ten-man Wolves.

Nick of Time

Arsenal scored in the dying minutes for the 9th game in a row to stay abreast with Chelsea and Manchester United and keep their title hopes alive after being held for more than 90 minutes by a resilient Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Mick Mccarthy played the same team that drew 0-0 with Everton the last time around, while Arsene Wenger made seven changes to the side that played Barcelona in midweek.

With Chelsea winning at Old Trafford earlier, the pressure was on the Gunners to take all three points from a game in which everybody expected them to win.

Arsenal were outplayed by Barcelona, but were looking very much like their own selves early on. Wolves could have found themselves 4 or 5 down before half-time were it not for their goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann. The American pulled of a string of fine saves to deny Theo Walcott, Bacary Sagna and Eduardo as the home-side dominated the first 45.

Wolves’ only decent chance came when Michael Mancienne ran forward and let fly from 25 yards, but the Englishman’s shot went wide.

Arsenal then had another great chance when Tomas Rosicky picked out Eduardo, but the Croat sprayed his shot wide. It continued to be one-way pressure, but Wolves held firm and went into the break all square.

Arsenal continued their dominance in the second half and Mikael Silvestre and Alex Song both had shots on goal early on.

On the hour-mark Hahnemann was at it again as he saved Rosicky’s low drive.

Six minutes later, Wolves were reduced to ten men when skipper Karl Henry needlessly went ploughing into Rosicky on the half-way line and referee Andre Marriner was forced to show a straight red card. Rosicky needed treatment on his injured calf, but returned thereafter and almost immediately had another effort saved by Hahnemann.

Nicklas Bendtner, who had come on for Emmanuel Eboue then tested Hahnemann with a looping header, but the goalie did well to catch.

With 11 minutes, desperation started creeping in and Wenger introduced Mexican youngster Carlos Vela for Eduardo.

Wolves nearly took a shock lead two minutes from time, when Matthew Jarvis’ corner was headed towards his own goal by Sol Campbell, but Rosicky cleared off the line.

And just as everyone thought it was going to be two more points dropped, Arsenal did it-AGAIN. Sagna crossed and Bendtner’s header beat Hahnemann before settling into the bottom corner. The Emirates Stadium erupted as Arsenal reduced the deficit between themselves and second-placed United to 1 point.

It was a big blow for Wolves, who were just a few seconds away from going 5 matches unbeaten in the Premier League for the first time in 30 years.

Arsene Wenger was all smiles during the post-match interview and said, “This side never gives up. We have great mental strength and desire and unity.”

Arsenal arguably have the easiest run-in of the top three in the last 5 games of the season. They will be looking to take maximum points from them whilst hoping the two above them drop some.

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Source: Arsenal vs Wolves Rview « Football Blog – Football News