Arsenal 1-2 Wolves: Arteta ‘not worried’ about his future despite loss

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he is not worried about his position after his side slumped to their worst start to a season since 1981 with defeat at home by Wolves in a game overshadowed by a nasty head injury to visiting striker Raul Jimenez.

“It’s something that the day I decided to be a coach I knew that one day I would be sacked or leave the football club but I don’t know when that is going to happen,” he said.

“In this profession, I know it will happen but I never worry about it.

“My only concern is to get the best out of the players and give the best possible service to the club.”

A game between two of the Premier League’s lowest-scoring sides was disrupted by a sickening clash of heads between Jimenez and David Luiz in the opening exchanges that led to the Mexico striker receiving treatment on the field for 10 minutes before being taken to hospital.

It was understandably flat for a time after that but flickered into life when Pedro Neto slotted home from close range after Leandro Dendoncker had headed Adama Traore’s teasing cross against the bar midway through the first half.

Gabriel equalised for the hosts with a thumping header from a Willian cross just three minutes later but Wolves were the better side throughout and re-established their lead when Daniel Podence cleverly converted after keeper Bernd Leno fumbled Neto’s drive.

Arsenal rarely threatened, with striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang little more than a spectator at times, and Arteta has much to ponder with his side languishing in the bottom half.

Wolves, on the other hand, are up to sixth and sit just four points off the summit in an increasingly congested top half of the table.

A sickening injury

The match had barely got going when one of its biggest stars was left unable to continue.

The moment Jimenez and Luiz dropped to the floor it was clear there was real concern among the players as medical staff rushed on to the field.

Jimenez was ultimately taken off on a stretcher and straight to hospital after a bandaged and visibly upset Luiz went to check on his stricken opponent.

Luiz continued until half-time – Arsenal have said they followed all the correct protocols in keeping him on the pitch – but was withdrawn at the break, blood clearly showing through his bandage.

In the absence of talisman Jimenez, manager Nuno Espirito Santo needed his other attackers to step up – and, once the shock of the injury wore off, they duly delivered a vibrant performance of real menace.

Neto’s second goal of the season, from the bench against Southampton last week, was rewarded with a start at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and he repaid that faith by firing Wolves into the lead.

The 20-year-old Portugal forward was also instrumental in the goal that put the visitors ahead again on the stroke of half-time. Arsenal keeper Leno could only shovel out Neto’s shot from distance and Podence smartly drilled home the rebound.

Wolves have struggled for goals this season but, with Traore back in the team, and Neto and Podence looking threatening, it may be they have the tools to address that in the coming weeks, even if Jimenez may be set for a spell on the sidelines.

One year on, Arsenal still struggling

On 29 November 2019, Emery was dismissed as Arsenal manager with the Gunners eighth in the Premier League and a mutinous atmosphere around the club.

Exactly 12 months on, his successor seems to have more questions than answers in his in-tray after another flat performance in front of empty stands at this cavernous stadium.

Arteta deserves credit for the way he rallied the team last season to seal Europa League qualification by winning the FA Cup – a triumph that included notable victories over Manchester City and Chelsea.

The former Gunners midfielder has also stiffened the backbone of a team that was regularly accused of being flaky – before Sunday’s fixture, only Tottenham had conceded fewer goals in the Premier League this season.

But at what cost?

Arsenal seem to have lost fluency going forward and their world-class striker and premium asset Aubameyang has only scored two league goals this season.

Indeed, Aubameyang touched the ball only eight times in the first half – and three of those were from kick-offs. Then, when gifted two second-half opportunities, the Gabon international failed to hit the target with either.

Arsenal’s goal, simple in its creation, was a powerful Gabriel header from Willian’s cross, but beyond that they rarely threatened a Wolves backline that is also notoriously solid.

Arteta needs a swift solution to his side’s bluntness because, on a day when north London rivals Tottenham went back to the top of the table, they seem further away than ever from the English top-flight’s elite.

‘No excuses’ – what they said

Arsenal manager Arteta: “They had two shots on target and scored both times. In the second half, my team showed a resilience, togetherness and belief to try to win the game back. We generated good chances but all players go through periods where they struggle to score goals.

“It’s my responsibility for the team to score more goals. There are no excuses – we have to improve.”

Wolves boss Nuno: “It’s terrible when you see one of your players [Jimenez] in an incident like that. We have to have a proper assessment, but he’s in good hands.

“I’m very proud of my team tonight. The talent and quality is there and the will and belief we have will move us forward.”

Shot-shy Gunners – the stats

• Arsenal’s tally of 13 points is their lowest after their opening 10 matches of any league campaign since 1981-82 (12).
• Arsenal have lost three consecutive home Premier League games for the second time since the start of last season. Before this, they had never suffered three straight home defeats in the competition.
• Wolves’ tally of 17 points is their most after 10 games of a top-flight campaign since 1979-80 (20 – adjusting to three points for a win).
• During 2020, only Manchester United (nine) have won more Premier League fixtures away from home than Wolves’ seven.
• Arsenal have lost five of their past eight league games, after being beaten in only five of their first 22 under Arteta.
• Neto has scored as many goals in Wolves’ 10 league matches this season as he managed in 29 last term (three).

What’s next?

Wolves have a trip to champions Liverpool next Sunday (19:15 GMT kick-off), while Arsenal have the north London derby at leaders Spurs earlier on the same day (16:30).

Before that, the Gunners host Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday (20:00).