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Premier League | Gameweek 31
Apr 24, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
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3-1

Neves (28'), Doherty (37'), Jota (45')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Sokratis (80')

Wolverhampton Wanderers return to form to defeat Arsenal at Molineux

Wolverhampton Wanderers boost their chances of qualifying for next season's Europa League courtesy of a deserved 3-1 win over Arsenal in Wednesday's fixture at Molineux.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have moved into seventh place in the Premier League table courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Arsenal in Wednesday's fixture at Molineux.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side were three goals to the good by half time thanks to efforts from Ruben Neves, Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota, and Arsenal could only manage a consolation through Sokratis Papastathopoulos during the closing stages.

Arsenal were unlucky not to win a penalty during the early stages of the second half, but Unai Emery's side could have no complaints as they failed to reclaim their place back in the top four.

The early minutes of the game at Molineux were played at a pedestrian pace, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan sent a sharp shot on the turn over the crossbar for the visitors.

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal battle for the ball in their Premier League fixture on April 24, 2019.© Reuters

Arsenal were dominating possession and appeared the more likely to take the lead, but Wolves soon found their groove to arguably put together their best 25-minute spell of the season.

Joao Moutinho curled a first-time effort from 20 yards marginally wide of Bernd Leno's post, before Raul Jimenez failed to hit the target with a close-range volley after Ryan Bennett's long throw.

Wolves eventually made the breakthrough through a set piece from Neves. It was in an ideal position for the Portuguese, and he capitalised by whipping a curling effort into the bottom corner of Leno's net.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves celebrates scoring a free kick against Arsenal in the Premier League on April 24, 2019.© Reuters

Jimenez blazed over from 15 yards shortly after the opener, but Arsenal soon reminded their hosts that they remained competitive with Alexandre Lacazette sending a shot over the crossbar from an acute angle after beating two defenders.

Wolves reacted by doubling their advantage a minute later. An inswinging cross from Jonny Otto was perfect for Doherty, who beat Leno to the ball to head into an empty net from eight yards out.

The West Midlands outfit appeared to take their foot off the gas as half time approached, but Jota did not waste the opportunity to extend his team's lead in added-on time.

Arsenal are left stunned by goal from Wolverhampton Wanderers in Premier League fixture on April 24, 2019.© Reuters

Granit Xhaka gave the ball away in midfield, and it led to the Portuguese breezing past Mkhitaryan before sending a shot under the body of Leno from inside the area.

Arsenal went on the attack after the restart with Nacho Monreal sending a long-range strike over the crossbar, but the visitors were unable to build on that opening with efforts closer to goal.

However, Wolves were fortunate not to concede a penalty just before the hour mark, with the referee waving away Arsenal's appeals despite Bennett mistiming a challenge on Lacazette.

Wolves were content to sit deep and play on the counter, and that approach almost paid off at the beginning of the final quarter with Jimenez firing wide of the far post after being found in space.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos scores for Arsenal against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on April 24, 2019.© Reuters

The game appeared to be over as a contest, but Arsenal found a way back into the match with 11 minutes remaining as Sokratis powered a header past Rui Patricio after meeting a corner.

The Gunners penned Wolves back into their own half for much of the closing stages, but Nuno's men were able to comfortably see out the remaining minutes to boost their chances of qualifying for next season's Europa League.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (3-5-2): Rui Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Dendoncker, Moutinho (Gibbs-White 90'), Neves, Jonny; Jimenez (Traore 82'), Jota (Cavaleiro 78')

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1) Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal; Torreira (Guendouzi 59'), Xhaka; Mkhitaryan (Kolasinac 58'), Ozil, Iwobi (Nketiah 71'); Lacazette

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City97202091123
2Liverpool97111751222
3Arsenal95311710718
4Aston Villa95311611518
5Chelsea95221911817
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton94411612416
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest9441117416
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs94141810813
9Brentford94141818013
10Fulham93331212012
11Bournemouth93331111012
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle9333910-112
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham93241316-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd9324811-311
15Leicester CityLeicester92341317-49
16Everton92341016-69
17Crystal Palace9135611-56
18Ipswich TownIpswich9045920-114
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves90271225-132
20Southampton9018619-131


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