U21 report | Wolves 2-0 Arsenal

13th February 2023

Wolves 2 (Neto 8, Lembikisa 19) Arsenal 0

Two goals inside the opening 20 minutes gave Wolves under-21s their first PL2 victory of 2023 against Arsenal.

Pedro Neto stuck eight minutes into his return from injury, before Dexter Lembikisa added a second shortly after to secure the points.

James Collins’ side had chances to add a third goal late on, but saw the second half out with a professional performance at Compton Park.

With less than 10 minutes on the clock, Neto was quick to capitalise on a loose touch to win the ball and close in on goal. The Portuguese international composed himself before slotting home into the far corner to give the old gold the lead.

Welcome back, Pedro Neto! 😎#PL2 pic.twitter.com/E9ZiQ0uR8A
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) February 13, 2023

A strong start almost got even better as Lembikisa was played in following some neat combination play, but the full-back was stopped at the last with a crucial challenge.

However, he wasn’t to be denied a second time when Lembikisa doubled Wolves’ advantage on 19 minutes. Justin Hubner’s ball over the top was taken expertly on the chest of Lembikisa, before he took another touch on the outside of the defender and fired in off the post with his left boot.

Dexter Lembikisa adding a second in fine fashion 👏#PL2 pic.twitter.com/eJ2yZEcQpa
— Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) February 13, 2023

Half-time | Wolves 2-0 Arsenal

Owen Farmer replaced Neto at the half-time interval and was involved in the first chance of the second 45. He combined with Ty Barnett, before Owen Hesketh was picked out in the penalty area, but the midfielder could only poke an effort into the gloves of Hubert Graczyk.

Wolves did well to limit an Arsenal side who are sat fourth in the table. Substitute Joel Ideho provided the best moment of the game for the visitors, as he was unlucky to see a free-kick cannon back off the crossbar.

A chance to seal the game came and went for the old gold as Josh Esen, fresh off the bench, was fed by Farmer following an electric attack down the left. However, despite being forced slightly wide, he still got an effort on target and Graczyk was made to save.

With a few mintutes left on the clock, Nathan Fraser had his own opportunity to add a third after Farmer’s clever flick around the corner, but Grazczyk produced a fine reaction save to tip the ball past the post.

Full-time | Wolves 2-0 Arsenal

COMING UP

Wolves under-21s travel to Leicester City next Monday evening, looking to make it back-to-back PL2 wins.

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