They took the top spot early on, and they don’t mean to let it slip! Arsenal beat Wolves at Molineux on Saturday night to ensure a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League going into the World Cup break.Mikel Arteta’s team had a chance to capitalize on Manchester City’s unexpected home defeat earlier in the day, and they made sure they grabbed it with both hands. After a slow first half, in which the visitors passed the ball without actually using it, the league leaders found another gear, took control and got the goals they needed. On both occasions, it was team moves that resulted in goals – something that will be particularly pleasing to Arteta.The deciding moment of this match came just after the hour mark when Gabriel Jesus started a fine team move by releasing Fabio Vieira on the left. The Portuguese squared the ball nicely for the onrushing Bukayo Saka. However, Martin Odegaard was a split-second quicker to slam the ball into the net from point-blank range and spark celebrations for the travelling fans. It was the second EPL goal for the Norwegian in the last three games – a tally he would soon increase to three.The damage’s been done, and disoriented Wolves found no way back into the match. For 15 minutes, they tried to fabricate any real chances, often lacking ideas as to how to penetrate Arsenal’s defensive block.Arsenal will🔝the Premier League at Christmas for the first time since 2007/08 ✅ pic.twitter.com/mjT2iXnSXv— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) November 12, 2022 The Gunners had no such problems.Gabriel Martinelli combined well with Oleksandr Zinchenko on the left wing and saw his shot blocked. However, the rebound fell nicely for Odegaard to shoot freely and double the lead. With 15 minutes remaining, the match was as good as over.Wolves, still managed by interim boss Steve Davis, had a couple of attempts in the late stage of the match, but Ruben Neves and Adama Traore couldn’t reduce the lead and make it a dramatic end to the match. Julen Lopetegui will have a lot of work to do before the season resumes in late December – and Arsenal fans will revel in the fact that they will celebrate Christmas as Premier League leaders – something that seemed so unlikely before the season begun.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 16SaturdayMan.City – Brentford 1-2 (1-1)/Foden 45 – Toney 16, 95/Manchester City – Brentford 1-2 (1-1)/Foden 45 – Toney 16, 90+5/Bournemouth – Everton 3-0 (2-0)/Tavernier 18, Moore 24, Anthony 69/Liverpool – Southampton 3-1 (3-1)/Firmino 6, Nunez 21, 42 – Adams 9/Nottingham Forest – Crystal Palace 1-0 (0-0)/Gibbs-White 54/Tottenham – Leeds 4-3 (1-2)/Kane 25, Davies 51, Bentancur 81, 83 – Summerville 10, Rodrigo 43, 76/West Ham – Leicester 0-2 (0-1)/Maddison 8, Barnes 78/Newcastle – Chelsea 1-0 (0-0)/Willock 67/Wolverhampton – Arsenal 0-2 (0-0)/Odegaard 55, 75/Sunday17:00: (1.95) Brighton (3.50) Aston Villa (4.40)19:30: (4.10) Fulham (3.50) Man.Utd. (1.92)***odds are subject to change***
