Wolves inspired by Diogo Jota bring new blow to Arsenal's top four prospects | Soccer

The scenario became familiar in this part of the black country, but Arsenal played as they never knew what was going to happen. Wolverhampton Wanderers, who was so impressive against the top six in the Premier League this season, added another scalp to his collection with a dazzling victory that raises major questions about Arsenal's ability to rank in the top four. .

Inspired by the excellent Diogo Jota, who covered just about every blade of grbad and left a standing ovation in the second half, the Wolves tore Arsenal with a devastating 19-minute attack in the first half that gave the three goals. goals. Ruben Neves scored the first with a glorious free kick, Matt Doherty led the second goal and Jota sent the third at halftime.

Arsenal looked shocked. Their defense in the 3-2 home defeat against Crystal Palace on Sunday was terrible, and these weaknesses were again revealed by a Wolves team that had a remarkable 16 points against the top six clubs this season. Bernd Leno is barely covered in glory by keeping his goals for the Wolves' second and third goals, although in fact, Arsenal's performances have been mediocre all over the field.

Not that all this will matter to the Wolves. It was Arsenal's first major win in 17 attempts, dating back to 1979. The Nuno Espírito Santo team now ranks seventh on the table and is still looking to qualify for the Europa League season next. Arsenal, who scored a goal 10 minutes behind Sokratis Papastathopoulos, remains fifth and, after suffering two consecutive losses in four days, their trip to Leicester Sunday has a disturbing meaning.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery made seven changes to his starting lineup, including the withdrawal of Shkodran Mustafi. Yet the visitors were in a state of disarray in the meantime, three goals behind.

Jota was at the origin of a purple spot that allowed the Wolves to take control of the game in the middle of the first half. Full of race, the Portuguese raised his teammates and local supporters by winning the ball deep in his half and starting on a track that allowed him to overtake several players Arsenal. In the end, the move came to nothing, but the mood in the stadium has changed.

The wolves were suddenly alive. João Moutinho curled up and Raúl Jimenez, reacting fastest to Willy Boly's free kick, shot a shot from the bar six meters. Arsenal, having dominated possession of the ball without appearing to score in the first 20 minutes, appeared vulnerable. The wolves felt it and profited without mercy.

Jota, along with another of those deep throws, penetrated into the half of Arsenal and released Jonny Castro Otto, who was shot about 25 meters from goal by Nacho Monreal. Neves stood above the ball and, after a short, straight race, hit a beautiful free-kick that deviated badly after cleaning the wall and finding the corner of the net.

Nine minutes later, the score was 2-0 after the defense against Arsenal. Jonny, not under any pressure from any Arsenal player, received Moutinho's ball and handed a cross cross in search of Leno's head, who had come to punch but was caught in the trap.

Arsenal was boiling and the situation would get worse for them. Desperately needed an interval to regroup, they conceded almost the last kick of the first period. A clear pbad from Granit Xhaka in the middle of the field gave Jota the chance to run again in the defense of Arsenal – an invitation he gladly accepted. After pbading Papastathopoulos with embarrbading ease, Jota shot a low shot that seemed to pbad under Leno's left arm.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being excluded from the group because of a "small sinus procedure", Emery's attack options to try to bring back Arsenal to the game were limited. Sead Kolasinac and Mattéo Guendouzi replaced Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Lucas Torreira shortly before the hour of play, but it was the Wolves who nearly scored again. Jiménez, ridden by Jonny, flamed widely. At the other end, Ryan Bennett's superb block deprived a goal from Alexandre Lacazette before Papastathopoulos, in a corner of the far post, reduced the deficit. It was little consolation for Arsenal.