Looking back at Arsenal vs Wolves – Marouane Chamakh in hot form
Arsenal earned a vital victory against Wolverhampton on Wednesday night thanks to a brace from Arsenal’s free summer signing Marouane Chamakh.
Both sides came into the match on the back of defeats. Arsenal lost at home to Newcastle United while Wolves went down to a stoppage time winner at Old Trafford.
It took the Gunners just 36 seconds to open the scoring when Alexander Song’s pinpoint cross was neatly headed past Marcus Hahnemann into the Wolves’ goal. A few minutes later, Andrei Arshavin had a brilliant chance to double Arsenal’s lead after a
mistake in the Wolverhampton’s defence but this time the goalkeeper made a fine save to deny the Russian. Arsenal’s captain Cesc Fabregas also had a great opportunity to score but Hahnemann was equal to the task again. The home side’s defence was kept busy
throughout the first half hour as Arsenal kept on pressing up the field.
Wolverhampton’s first chance came from a freekick, Kevin Doyle attempted an audacious reverse header but the ball went just over the bar. Minutes later, Nenad Milijas’ deflected cross was about to fall kindly for Stephen Hunt at the far post but Fabianski
moved across quickly to push the ball away.
The Wolves went into the dressing room at half time fairly confident that they could come back in the match. However, it was Arsenal who had the first opportunity after the restart but once again they failed to capitalize on a defensive mistake as
Fabregas struck his shot wide of the goal.
At the other end of the field, Karl Henry dragged his volley across the six yard box but there was no Wolves player who could get to it and the score line remained 1-0. Wolves continued to press for the equalizer but Fabianski made another fine save
as he tipped Doyle’s shot over the goal. The resulting corner was whipped in dangerously and was helped on its way by Richard Stearman but Tomas Rosicky managed to clear the ball off the line.
It was just not looking Wolverhampton’s day as another chance went begging a few seconds later. As Wolves pushed on and on, Arsene Wenger’s men looked for a second goal to put the game to bed and Arshavin almost provided that but his 65th minute
strike came back off the post. The match was being played at a high pace with Wolves desperately trying to level the score while Arsenal trying to hit on the counter.
Arsenal should have sealed the victory in the 80th minute from Arshavin’s corner which was not dealt by Wolves’ defence, but Squillaci failed to make proper contact with the ball and Djourou’s shot from six yards out hit a
Wolves defender on the line and went wide. Kevin Doyle came close once again in the 89th minute to pull his side level but his shot went just a whisker away from the goal. Wolves came close twice in the stoppage as well but couldn’t
find a way past Fabianski who probably put up his best performance for Arsenal.
Chamakh finally secured the victory in the 94th minute with his second on the night. It was far from a convincing triumph but Wenger won’t mind the three points. Arsenal find themselves now just a point behind Manchester United
and five behind leaders Chelsea. Wolves on the other hand are still in the relegation zone but their performance would give them plenty of encouragement.
While it was a game that had goals in the ‘beginning’ to the ‘end’ – The 2-0 score line seems rather misleading. While the Gunners managed to find an end product as early as the first minute of play, they lacked sharpness throughout the length of the
game. It was perhaps, the home side that was unable to take advantage on the day that eventually enabled the Gunners to avoid embarrassment. The manager and his playing eleven, better pull up their socks if they are to challenge for honors this season – They
should learn to take control of the game rather than dominating possession without much reward.
Lucky Arsenal well played Marouane Chamakh.
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