Arsenal beat Wolves to top Premier League table

Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Wolves at Molineux Stadium on Saturday.

Goals from Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard late in each half secured the victory for the Gunners.

Trossard’s sliced effort in the final minute of the first half found the top corner of the net and Mikel Arteta’s side kept Wolves at bay until Odegaard forced home in stoppage time. The victory takes them one point clear of Manchester City having played an extra game.

After that shock home defeat to Aston Villa was followed up by European elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich on Wednesday, Arsenal were under pressure to produce the win that would take them top and bring some momentum back to their season.

Wolves were severely depleted by injuries, handing a first start to forward Tawanda Chirewa and naming 15-year-old Wes Okoduwa among the substitutes, but they were competitive enough throughout with Joao Gomes seeing his shot hit the post with the scores level.

The result remained in the balance until the end but Arsenal’s impressive defence, such a big factor in this title tilt, held firm before Odegaard added late gloss to the delight of the travelling support.

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Wolves stay 11th. It is Arsenal who now lead the way.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “At the moment, I can’t tell you what the difference is. At the moment, we are fighting for the league again.

“We’ve had our first experience in the Champions League for a lot of those boys. We’ve come quite far, not as far yet as we want but we want to still improve a lot.

“This is where we want to be (at the top of the table). We lost it last week at home to Aston Villa.

“We didn’t deserve to lose it, but we’re top now at least for a day so let’s see what happens.

“We’re going to have to earn the win on Tuesday against Chelsea. We’ll give it a real go.”

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil said Arsenal “are a difficult team to play”.

Arsenal host Chelsea in a London derby on Tuesday, April 23.

Wolves are in action against Bournemouth on Wednesday, April 24.

The Star