‘Back to business’ Arsenal grind out Wolves win to go top

Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard (C) celebrates after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on April 20, 2024. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

Arsenal shrugged off the disappointment of their Champions League exit to move back to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win at Wolves on Saturday.

Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard struck at the end of each half to take the Gunners one point clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

Arsenal’s season was in danger of coming completely off the rails after a three-game winless run.

Mikel Arteta’s men lost in the Premier League for the first time in 2024 last weekend, 2-0 at home to Aston Villa, in between a Champions League quarter-final elimination by Bayern Munich.

However, they bounced back to keep the pressure on champions City, who beat Chelsea 1-0 to reach the FA Cup final earlier on Saturday.

“Massive win for us,” said Arsenal captain Odegaard.

“It was a tough week for us, few tough results and emotionally really hard but we had to keep doing. Today was all about bouncing back and getting the win.

“Still a long way to go, still tight in the race, so today was all about getting back to business.”

Arteta made just three changes from the side that lost 1-0 in Munich on Wednesday and it took some time for the sluggish visitors to find their stride.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil claimed his side have been struck by the worst injury crisis he has encountered in his professional career.

Yet, the undermanned hosts were nearly in front when David Raya was forced to turn Joao Gomes’ powerful effort onto the crossbar.

Arsenal had