Arsenal 1-2 Wolves: Player Ratings as Sublime Podence Goal Downs Gunners

A great goal from Daniel Podence helped Wolves secure a fine win
A great goal from Daniel Podence helped Wolves secure a fine win / James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images
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Goals from Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence helped condemn Arsenal to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against an impressive Wolves side.

Early on, proceedings were halted for over 10 minutes following a sickening clash of heads between David Luiz and Raul Jimenez - with the latter being stretchered off. It has since been reported that Jimenez has been taken to hospital, but is conscious, in a welcome update.

Wolves managed to poke their noses in front in the first half when Pedro Neto latched onto a rebound after excellent wing play from Adama Traore. Seconds later, Gabriel levelled things up with a powerful header.

Just before the break Wolves went back in front when Daniel Podence showed great cunning to evade a wild challenge and poke the ball past Bernd Leno. In the second half the visitors seemed happy to hold on to what they had, retreating in a low block and staving off Arsenal's advances with ease.

Here are your Wolves and Gunners player ratings from the Emirates Stadium...


Arsenal


1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Gabriel scored a fine header to level things up
Gabriel scored a fine header to level things up / Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Bernd Leno (GK) - 5/10 - Spilled the ball for the second goal. It was a poor mistake that ultimately cost his side any points.

Hector Bellerin (RB) - 6/10 -
Tried his best to contain Neto but did not always manage it. Put his body on the line with four blocks in total.

David Luiz (CB) - 6/10 -
Scandalously remained on the pitch after the clash of heads before being subbed at half time.

Gabriel (CB) - 7/10 -
A real leader for the Gunners. Scored a fine header at one end and made several key interceptions at the other.

Kieran Tierney (LB) - 6/10 -
Rinsed a few times by Adama Traore, but there's little shame in that. Mainly defended well and tried his upmost to push his side on going forward.


2. Midfielders

Willock received a rare start in midfield
Willock received a rare start in midfield / Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Dani Ceballos (CM) - 5/10 - Needed to offer his side more. Chasing shadows for much of the 90 minutes.

Joe Willock (CM) - 5/10 - Nowhere near creative enough to be his side's most advanced midfielder.

Granit Xhaka (CM) - 6/10 - A couple of sloppy moments when he surrendered possession. Defended well though, making four interceptions.


3. Forwards

Aubameyang once again failed to net
Aubameyang once again failed to net / Julian Finney/Getty Images

Willian (RW) - 6/10 - His dead ball delivery was the highlight of his quiet display with his corner being headed home by Gabriel.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) - 5/10 - Starved of service. When he did get the rare chance, he didn't look comfortable. Badly needs a goal.

Bukayo Saka (LW) - 6/10 - Pretty quiet. When he did manage to get behind the Wolves defence, a final ball was lacking.


4. Substitutes

Nelson came on but made little impact
Nelson came on but made little impact / James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Rob Holding - 6/10 - Caught out early on by Neto, but settled down thereafter.

Reiss Nelson - 6/10 - Fired a good chance well over but did add some impetus to the Gunners' attack.

Alexandre Lacazette - N/A


Wolves


5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Boly put in a colossal performance
Boly put in a colossal performance / JULIAN FINNEY/Getty Images

Rui Patricio (GK) - 6/10 - A quiet evening. He only had to make one save and could do nothing about the goal.

Nelson Semedo (RB) - 7/10 -
Enjoy slightly less attacking freedom in Wolves' new look formation but still showed a few signs of danger.

Willy Boly (CB) - 8/10 -
Excellent positioning. The ball seemed to be being pulled towards him like a magnet.

Conor Coady (CB) - 8/10 -
Very solid. Showed he can play in a back four as well as back three. Made 10 clearances in total.

Fernando Marçal (LB) - 7/10 -
Solid without being too notable. His defending facilitated the exploits of the attacking players in front of him.


6. Midfielders

Podence's goal was superb
Podence's goal was superb / James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Joao Moutinho (CM) - 7/10 - The creative engine room of his side. He knitted things together neatly in the middle of the park.

Leander Dendoncker (CM) - 6/10 - Had a couple of headed chances and should have done better with all of them.

Daniel Podence (AM) - 8/10 - His goal was nothing short of sensational. He showed great cunning to avoid Gabriel's challenge and score. A real livewire throughout.


7. Forwards

Neto scored in the first half
Neto scored in the first half / Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images

Adama Traore (RW) - 8/10 - The architect of both of Wolves' goals. He looked unplayable at times, bursting past his opposite number with ease.

Raul Jimenez (ST) - N/A - Stretchered off with a nasty looking head injury. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Pedro Neto (LW) - 8/10 - Massively influential. His goal was well taken and Arsenal seriously struggled to contain him throughout.


8. Substitutes

Fabio Silva replaced Jimenez after his injury
Fabio Silva replaced Jimenez after his injury / Pool/Getty Images

Fabio Silva - 6/10 - Missed a few good chances and showed little evidence of any real predator's instinct.

Ruben Neves - 6/10 - A like for like swap for Moutinho. Kept things tidy in possession.

Max Kilman - 6/10 - Sent on to shore things up as Wolves moved to a back three.