Before the start of the season, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said that his team needed even more points this season that the last one, since they failed to take the Premier League title with 89 points. And after today’s opener at the Emirates, they got their first three: Arsenal – Wolves 2-0. It’s wasn’t smooth as the Spanish coach would have liked, but the Gunners certainly look better prepared for the start of the season as Manchester United for example. They also had the luxury to play at home against Wolverhampton side which still didn’t buy any replacements for their first-team stars Max Kilman and Pedro Neto, while their best striker Matheus Cunha is not 100% fit and played only half an hour. Still, Wolves had periods of good game and even had two excellent changes while the score was still relatively positive, but David Raya was there with the man of the match performance to keep his net intact.First piece of action happening in the first 15 minutes, when Saka receives the ball in the area and created some space for himself with a lovely piece of skill, but his shot went towards the near post and Sa gathered it at the second attempt. Ben White had a chance just minute later, but his shot went over the bar. Rice had a similar chance (with the same ending) two minutes later and finally Kai Havertz broke the deadlock. Saka started the action and put a cross into the penalty area where Havertz jumped and headed the ball into the net. If Martinelli wasn’t so selfish in the 44th minute, the Gunners would go the break with two goal advantage. The hosts had a beautiful chance (their only true one) in the 36th minute, but David Raya had a magnificent save to deny Larsen.Second half wasn’t so packed with chances and excitement, especially when Wolves took the initiative and started to press the hosts. And just like in the first part of the game, the guests had an opportunity, this time to equalize, but their best player Matheus Cunha, who came in as a sub, missed a golden opportunity, as he took a shot straight at Raya. And again, an experienced team like Arsenal punished it when Bukayo Saka closed the match with a wonderful solo effort in the 74th minute. But Raya wasn’t done as he didn’t even allow a single goal. Podence volleyed an effort at goal from inside the area which forced the Spaniard to make a great save in injury time and keep the score 2-0.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 1FridayMan.Utd. – Fulham 1-0 (0-0)/Zirkzee 87/SaturdayIpswich – Liverpool 0-2 (0-0)/Jota 60, Salah 65/Arsenal – Wolverhampton 2-0 (1-0)/Havertz 25 Saka 74 /Everton – Brighton 0-3 (0-1)/Mitoma 25, Welbeck 56, Adingra 86/Newcastle – Southampton 1-0 (1-0)/Joelington 45/Nott.Forest – Bournemouth 1-1 (1-0)/Wood 23 – Semenyo 86/19:30: (2.50) West Ham (3.45) Aston Villa (2.75)Sunday16:00: (2.55) Brentford (3.35) Crystal Palace (2.75)18:30: (4.20) Chelsea (3.80) Man.City (1.90)Monday22:00: (5.20) Leicester (4.00) Tottenham (1.65)***odds are subject to change***
