Football: Wolves win to make it three home defeats for Arsenal

Wolves managed a 2-1 victory against a disappointing Arsenal, to get their first victory on the Gunner’s home turf since 1979.

The result was somewhat overshadowed, by Wolves striker Raúl Jiménez being taken to hospital after suffering a nasty clash of heads with David Luiz.

The Mexican forward had to be operated on after receiving a fracture to his skull but is now in a comfortable condition, according to the Wolves Twitter account.

Once play resumed, Pedro Neto was able to fire home, picking up a failed headed effort from teammate Leander Dendoncker to put the Wanderers ahead.

Arsenal responded three minutes later with centre back Gabriel heading a cross from midfielder Willian to bring the Gunners level.

But the comeback was not to be as Daniel Podence pounced on a Bernd Leno knockdown to regain the lead for the midlands outfit.

After half time Héctor Bellerín crossed a well-placed ball to Bukayo Saka who was waiting in the Wolves box, but the 19-year-old was unable to convert.

Bright Wolves exposed deep problems for Arsenal

One year on from Arsène Wenger’s supposed successor Unai Emery being sacked as manager of the club, it seems Arsenal have made little progress.

Last year’s star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seemed to go missing, managing one less touch on the ball than keeper Leno.

Ultimately Arsenal looked flat with little connection between their midfield and forward players, whilst their defence, which had been showing signs of improvement under manager Mikel Arteta, looked shaky.

He said: “It’s my responsibility for the team to score more goals. There are no excuses – we have to improve.”

Wolves, on the other hand, seemed to have recovered from their two match winless run in the Premier League, with a dominant first-half performance.

The pace of Podence to score the second goal and the creativity of Neto and Adama Traoré in absence of striker Jiménez will no doubt give the Wanderers plenty to be positive about.

Wolves manager, Nuno Espírito Santo, said: “I’m very proud of my team tonight. The talent and quality is there and the will and belief we have will move us forward.

“It’s massive to come to Arsenal and perform well and to collect something from the game.”

Jimenez incident sparks call for concussion substitutes

After Jiménez was stretchered off, the defender he clashed with, Luiz, played on with a bandage wrapped around his head.

Blood was seeping through his dressing, and at half time the Brazilian was taken off because he did not feel comfortable heading the ball, said Arteta.

The decision to allow Luiz to play on sparked criticism from some pundits who made renewed calls for concussion substitutes who must come on after clashes like the one in this game.

On Match of the Day Two, Alan Shearer said: “What’s to trial about the concussion substitute, why? Just do it, it’s not acceptable.”

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