Arsenal player ratings as 'superb' defender gets 8/10 and 'ineffective' forward lands 5/10 in Wolves win

Substitute Riccardo Calafiori ensured Arsenal took all three points from Wolves at Molineux in a tight game that saw both teams lose a player to a red card.

Arsenal dominated early on and missed two big chances through Kai Havertz, but their game plan was forced to change when Myles Lewis-Skully was sent off for a cynical challenge in the opposition half. The Gunners started the second half surprisingly well, perhaps sensing the opening period would be their best opportunity to win the game, given the one-man advantage the home side possessed.

It yielded little, though, and the Gunners predictably struggled for energy at times during the last 25 minutes, allowing Wolves to enjoy more control of the game. That was until Wolves got themselves a red card of their own, with Joao Gomes overstepping and catching Jurrien Timber to pick up an undebatable second yellow card.

Arsenal then regained control of the game, and they got in front when the ball dropped to Riccardo Calafiori inside the box. The full-back caught the ball beautifully on the bounce, and found the inside of the post with a first-time effort. The Gunners defended their lead well aside from one standout chance from Rayan Ait-Nouri that David Raya was equal to, and they picked up a huge three points for their efforts. Here we rate the players from the Molineux win.

David Raya - 7

Great save to deny Cunha’s deflected effort just past the hour-mark. He also produced a big save in the 83rd minute to deny Ait-Nouri. Raya wasn’t too involved aside from that.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (Sent off 42’) - 3

Wolves were breaking away and Lewis-Skelly intentionally took the player with no intention of taking the ball, coming in pretty high, even if the final contact was on the top of the foot. That has become a red card in the last six or seven years, but players don’t seem to be switching on to it, still thinking they can commit a cynical foul and get off with a yellow. A lesson for the youngster.

Gabriel Magalhaes - 8

He was caught out of position once in the first half, but apart from that, Gabriel was very solid.

William Saliba - 8

Very solid, much like his defensive partner.

Jurrien Timber - 7

Nowhere to be seen when a cross found Sarabia 10 minutes in. He was lucky to be left off by the miss. Aside from that, Timber was pretty solid, with Wolves creating little from out wide.

Thomas Partey - 7

This was a solid performance from Arsenal’s midfield, especially considering the sending off. Partey was a big part of that.

Ethan Nwaneri (Off at 45’) - 6

A few nice exchanges, but after an ordinary first half, Nwaneri was sacrificed for Calafiori at the break due to the red card.

Declan Rice - 8

Provided plenty going forward here, helping Arsenal in the absence of Odegaard. He came close to a goal with a nice run and strike seven minutes after half-time. Aside from his offensive work, he also kept the ball well and broke up play in typical fashion. This was one of Rice’s best games of the season.

Leandro Trossard - 5

Not overly involved going forward, and he tucked in more narrowly in the second half. Arsenal need more from a too often ineffective Trossard.

Gabriel Martinelli (Off at 86’) - 6

Linked up nicely with the midfield at times. He did show plenty of desire and got a couple of dangerous balls into the box, including the cross in the lead up to the goal, but he largely struggled to get the ball in space.

Kai Havertz - 5

Missed a good headed chance in the 19th minute, and another in the 23rd, with one going wide and the other, which was an even bigger chance, going straight at Jose Sa. It became a hat-trick just after the hour-mark when he headed a free-kick just over, albeit it wasn’t quite as good a chance as the second.

Substitutes

Riccardo Calafiori (On at 45’) - 8

A superb finish to open up and win a tight game, pulling the ball across his body on the bounce and in off the inside of the post despite being outstretched. Aside from the goal, Calafiori was solid at the back and got forward well when circumstances allowed. If the Italian can remain fit, he will be a huge asset for the Gunners going forward.

Kieran Tierney (On at 86’) - 6

Delivered a lovely ball into Havertz almost immediately after coming on, but it was well defended. Naturally, Tierney didn’t have much time to have a real say on the game, playing as a winger in front of Calafiori and trading positions when the Italian got forward, but he did his job.