Wolves opened the new 2024/25 Premier League season with a battling defeat at Arsenal, but Gary O’Neil’s men produced a promising display on the road against a team many tip for the title.
Although the Gunners came out the more dominant side in the opening stages, with Wolves falling behind inside the opening half hour to Kai Havertz’s header, the Old Gold could have gone into the break level had David Raya not produced an excellent stop to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen opening his account on his competitive debut from point blank range.
The Matchday Live Extra team of Mikey Burrows and Hall of Fame full-back Andy Thompson watched on as Wolves fought hard in the second half at the Emirates and were unfortunate not to have got back into the game, with Matheus Cunha passing up a golden opportunity to equalise, before Bukayo Saka secured all three points for the hosts.
Taking positives from defeat
Thompson said: “I was fairly happy with how we played, especially in the second half. We did enough in that half to get ourselves level, at least, but to concede the second goal in the way that we did, was a bit of a blow to them. We could have got something from that second half. You can always tell by the behaviour and noise which comes from the home fans, which we are in the middle of, and again, I felt Wolves took the game to Arsenal, especially in the second half.
“We had 65 per cent possession with the ball, but you’ve got to convert something. We had the Larsen header in the first half which would have changed the whole game had it have gone in, but Cunha’s chance – when we were on top – totally changes the game. They were under pressure for long spells in that second half, and you’ve got to take advantage of it, but then all of a sudden, they break away, out to the winger, Saka cuts inside, shot, goal. That’s the difference they have and that’s the difference the top team’s have. We’ve got to take our chances.”
Cunha and Strand Larsen’s chances
“In the scheme of things, that’s probably one of the easier chances he’s had. He could have had another touch going in, and we know he’s got the quality to do it – that’s the disappointing thing about it. We’ve seen him score some great goals by curling it beyond the keeper, and that was an easier chance.
“I know it was on his left foot, but how close he was in, how much of the goal he had to hit, I just think he’s got to take it. You can’t keep missing opportunities like that, because it was a really good opportunity. You’ve got to take these opportunities in the Premier League, especially when you come up against Arsenal at the Emirates, because you know they’re going to be there, or there abouts, for the title again this year, but we can’t keep missing opportunities.”
A reluctance to shoot from distance
“They’ve got the ability to do it. They’ve got the quality to do it. If I thought it was beyond what they are capable of in front of goal, I wouldn’t say anything about it, but because of the ability and what these players have in front of goal, they should be at least making the keeper work really hard in terms of keeping the ball out.
“Hwang’s first touch was nice, brilliant, but it fell kindly for him to volley it with his second. The keeper hadn’t set himself, there’s a few bodies in there, just hit it and have a go. What’s the worst that it could do? But, again, we tried to be too clinical about the way we attempt things and that’s one of our problems. We try to score the perfect goal – just hit it! When you’re in the penalty box, anything could happen.”
Mosquera’s Premier League debut
“I thought he played really well. He was composed, in and out of possession, his defending was really good one versus one, he looked strong, he pushed Havertz aside to make sure the ball was his, and I was happy with the way that he’s played today.
“With that backline, you could see that he’s gained from the experience of going on loan last year, and I know has hasn’t played many games for us, that was his Premier League debut, but I thought that he did really well. Toti was a little bit shaky for me in a back four. When he’s got time on the ball, I think he panics a little bit, but Mosquera looked so composed when he came through.”
Potential penalty shout for push on Hwang
“If that was outside the area, does the referee give a foul? I think he does, and this is the problem I have with officials. It shouldn’t matter where you are on the pitch, if it’s a foul, it’s a foul. You can’t be selective from where you give the foul from, i.e. penalty area or anywhere else on the pitch.
“I just think officials are a bit selective about where they give free-kicks and where they don’t, and in the penalty area, it shouldn’t matter what you do, they just seem reluctant to give a free-kick, which would result in a penalty, when anywhere else on the pitch it’s a free-kick.”
Thompson was talking to Mikey Burrows on Matchday Live Extra, part of the Official Wolves Podcast, which is available to listen to now on all podcast providers.
