The Joe Edwards debrief – Wolves 0 Arsenal 2
Wolves’ winning run came to a grinding halt as Arsenal did a number on them.
The 2-0 defeat saw the Champions League push dented, while also continuing a fairly alarming Molineux trend.
Too much time to prepare?
It is a pretty crazy thing to say, but Wolves may have had too long to get ready for this clash with the Gunners.
Having been so used to having games in midweek this season, given the involvement in the Europa League from all the way back to last July, they had the rarity of a full week on the training pitch before facing Mikel Arteta’s men.
Conor Coady, though, admitted after the Villa victory that they would have preferred to have a midweek match and while time under Nuno Espirito Santo at Compton is, of course, important, Wolves’ dynamic was upset and it showed in the performance.
If anything, it looked like Wolves had over-thought things.
Nuno went for a surprising line-up as he put Adama Traore alongside Raul Jimenez in a 3-5-2, and while the former did cause Arsenal some problems, you cannot deny he looks better when he is operating from the right flank.
Things got better for a bit when Diogo Jota came on, but Wolves then lost their rhythm completely when Pedro Neto was introduced and, as a result, Traore moved to right-wing-back.
Wolves had obviously worked on one or two free-kick routines during the week, but they did not work.
A clear example was when Ruben Neves had the chance to unleash a strike from trademark range, but instead played it to Joao Moutinho, who laid it off for Romain Saiss to smash against the wall.
Wolves just seemed far too conservative against the Gunners, given their well-documented defensive issues.
Tactically, they got it wrong. But Nuno’s charges are now getting back to the rampant schedule they have been used to, so hopefully that bodes well.
Still sitting sixth
There is no hiding from the fact it was a disappointing display on Saturday – no point sugar-coating it.
But while they did lose ground on the others chasing the Champions League, Wolves remain in a fantastic spot.
Sixth in the Premier League with five games to go, Wolves’ destiny is very much in their own hands.
Yes, Arsenal are now creeping up on them while Wednesday's opponents Sheffield United are well in the mix, too, but if Nuno’s side pick up the results they should, they will clinch European football again.
The Europa League seems more likely at the minute but, as the weekend showed, things can change very quickly in football.
Wolves could hit their stride again and those around them falter.
Fingers crossed, this loss to Arsenal was just a bad day at the office.
The home record
While the battle with the Blades is the top priority, and rightly so as Wolves stick to their game-by-game mantra, something does need sorting if they are to finish strongly.
And that is the record at Molineux. They have won six of their 17 games on home soil, which is not terrible by any means, but when you look at the results more closely there is cause for a bit of concern.
Of those six successes, only one has come against a team in the top 15 – Manchester City.
The rest have come against strugglers Norwich, Watford, West Ham, Villa and Bournemouth.
Wolves still have to host Everton and Crystal Palace and could do with bucking that trend.
The first halves
Plenty of people are already aware of it – but Wolves could really do with starting games quicker, too.
If the table was down to first halves alone, they would be bottom with just 27 points from 33 games.
Looking at second periods, things are pretty rosy – Wolves having the fourth-best record – but they cannot always give themselves a hill to climb, especially with no supporters in the grounds.
It may sound a bit cliché, but the fans certainly played their part earlier in the campaign. That win against Manchester City at home – being 2-0 down and astonishingly winning 3-2 – is an obvious example.
So, without the 12th man, it would be lovely to see Wolves come flying out of the blocks and give themselves a lead to hold on to, or add to. Doing that against Sheffield United would go down a treat.
Looking ahead
So, it will be a tough test at Bramall Lane – but one you suspect Nuno & Co cannot wait for.
Wolves are not ones to make excuses. They will know that Saturday was below par and will be determined to respond in a positive manner.
It will be interesting to see what line-up Nuno goes with.
The 3-4-3 seems to be the more popular option among fans, or 3-5-2 as long as Jota is partnering Jimenez – with Traore tasked with making an impact off the bench.
Far too many players had off days against the Gunners. Let’s hope they are at their best against the Blades.
