Premier League: Super Saka powers Arsenal to 2-0 win over Wolves at Emirates
Bukayo Saka was the star of the show as Arsenal started their Premier League 2023-24 campaign with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium on August 17, Saturday.
Saka scored one goal and setup Kai Havertz for the opener as the Gunners set the marker down in the opening weekend. Wolves did put in a strong resistance early on in the second half, but Gary O’Neill and his men had to return empty-handed from London.
The early pressure was all from Arsenal despite Wolves showing that they weren’t at the Emirates to sit back and soak up all the offence. Bukayo Saka forced Jose Sa into a save in the 14th minute and it was followed by Ben White hitting well-wide after some intricate play from the Gunners. Saka would once again test Sa in the 19th minute before Rice would have a shot go well above the target.
Arsenal’s pressure eventually paid off as Saka sent in a beautiful cross on to Havertz, who made a fine run and headed it home in the 26th minute.
Wolves would step up their game as Bellegarde had a freekick go above the bar. Then, in the 36th minute, Jorgen Larsen would get a clear header, which was saved well by David Raya.
Arsenal almost had the chance to make it 2-0 in the 44th minute as Martinelli’s shot went above. Wolves would turn up the heat in the second half as the hosts were certainly on the backfoot. The 62nd minute saw Ait-Nouri fire just wide as Raya was left scrambling. Arsenal almost caused their downfall when the defence gave possession straight to Matheus Cunha and his shot was straight at Raya in the 68th minute.
However, Saka would put the game beyond Wolves with a stunning strike in the 74th minute. The forward got on to his favourite left foot and drilled the ball well past Sa. Wolves did put in some efforts in the end and Raya was called in during the dying moments to keep the score at 2-0.
Other Premier League results
The other results in the Premier League saw Brighton thrash 10-men Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park. Newcastle United edged past Southampton 1-0 after Fabian Schar had seen a red card on the day while Bournemouth earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest after Antoine Semenyo scored in the 86th minute.
Earlier in the day, Liverpool defeated Ipswich Town 2-0 to start the Arne Slot era on a high.