Arsenal got their Premier League campaign off to a strong start with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Kai Havertz headed home in a dominant first half but Wolves came out strong after the break and threatened to equalise, only for Bukayo Saka to crash home and steer Arsenal through to the final whistle.

Declan Rice limped off in the final five minutes but took a seat straight on the bench, suggesting his withdrawal may not be anything to worry about.

How the game unfolded

Havertz got in behind following a glorious Martin Odegaard flick nine minutes in, but Mario Lemina just about managed to deny the German as he prepared to pull the trigger.

Ben White saw a long-range effort deflected, before Saka weaved his way into an inch of space and tested Jose Sa with a low strike that stung the gloves of the Wolves stopper.

Arsenal’s pressure was relentless and, despite some impressive Wolves defending, a Gunners goal seemed inevitable, and the opener came 25 minutes in. Saka’s cross into the box was perfect and landed right on the head of Havertz, who provided the finish needed to get this campaign off to the perfect start.

Ten minutes before the break, Wolves produced an excellent chance of their own. Jorgen Strand Larsen looked destined to thump a header of his own beyond David Raya, but the Gunners goalkeeper produced a sensational save to keep the ball out.

When the half-time whistle blew, Arsenal sat comfortably at 64% possession and ten shots on goal, compared to Wolves’ three.

Havertz sliced wide shortly after the restart when he really should have done better, and Thomas Partey struck past the post as Arsenal tried to put an abrupt end to a wave of pressure from the visitors.

Rayan Ait-Nouri’s strike from distance caused a sharp inhale of breath as it fizzed wide of Raya’s post. Mikel Arteta grew visibly concerned at the improvement from Wolves and responded by replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko with Jurrien Timber with 20 minutes to go.

Arsenal needed somebody to step up and alleviate the pressure and, as he always does, it was Saka who took the responsibility. The winger cut inside and crashed the ball beyond Sa into the back of the net to put Arsenal back on top.

Wolves’ ambition faded as the deficit grew, allowing Arsenal to pick up the first win of many this season.

Formation: 4-3-3

GK: David Raya – 7/10 – Not particularly busy but his save from Larsen’s header late in the first half was truly impressive.

RB: Ben White – 6/10 – Kept busy defensively and didn’t always win his duel, but White’s biggest impact came at the other end of the field, where his work in midfield was key to Arsenal’s success.

CB: William Saliba – 7/10 – Comfortable at the back as he repelled nearly everything that came towards his box.

CB: Gabriel – 7/10 – Some excellent play with the ball at his feet. Smart short passes and accurate when going long.

LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6/10 – Like White, played a really important role going forwards, but his defensive work needs improvement if he is going to keep Calafiori out of the starting lineup.

DM: Thomas Partey – 6/10 – A typical Partey performance which included both good and bad moments. Perhaps not at his physical peak as the tempo of the match often slowed around him, but the midfielder held his own technically.

CM: Declan Rice – 6/10 – The left side of the pitch was notably disappointing here. Rice may not have done much wrong, but his slow movement and uninspired passing hardly helped things, although those around him on that wing didn’t offer much support.

CM: Martin Odegaard – 7/10 – Some silky flicks and passes to get Arsenal moving forward. Led by example once again.

RW: Bukayo Saka – 8/10 – Clearly feeling himself from the first whistle. Drove at his defender with every given opportunity and some of his crosses, including for Havertz’s opener, were sublime. Stepped up to score when Arsenal needed him.

ST: Kai Havertz – 8/10 – Led the line well and was a great presence in the box. Took his goal incredibly well and added the assist for Saka’s strike.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli – 6/10 – A weak link across the attack. Had the odd bright spell but played too safe at times, often passing back to Rice instead of getting into the box.

Substitutes

SUB: Jurrien Timber (69′ for Zinchenko) – 6/10

SUB: Leandro Trossard (80′ for Saka) – N/A

SUB: Gabriel Jesus (85′ for Rice) – N/A

Subs not used: Aaron Ramsdale (GK), Riccardo Calafiori, Ethan Nwaneri, Jorginho, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah

Manager

Mikel Arteta – 7/10 – Arsenal were dominant in the first half and, after seeing his side lose their footing, Arteta made the changes needed to swing the game back into his side’s favour.

Player of the match: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

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