Arsenal secured a promising start to their Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka in either half ensured Mikel Arteta’s side began their title quest with a strong performance, ending a 21-year wait for the top-flight crown.
The match, while ultimately comfortable for Arsenal, was closely contested for a significant period, particularly in the second half when Wolves had opportunities to level the score. The opening goal came in the 25th minute when Havertz capitalized on a close-range header to give Arsenal the lead. Despite some anxious moments, the victory was secured thanks to Saka’s strike 16 minutes from time.
Arsenal made a strong start, with Havertz setting up Saka for an early chance in the 14th minute, only for Wolves’ goalkeeper Jose Sa to make a crucial save. The hosts continued to press, with Ben White firing wide and Saka having another effort saved by Sa. Declan Rice also missed a chance to extend the lead with a high shot from a promising position.
The breakthrough came when Saka delivered a cross from the right wing. Despite Mario Lemina’s slow reaction, Havertz managed to get between Sa and debutant defender Yerson Mosquera, heading the ball into the net to put Arsenal ahead.
Wolves had a chance to equalize in the 35th minute when Hwang Hee-chan’s cross found Jorgen Strand Larsen, but Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made a superb one-handed save to keep his team in front.
Arsenal maintained the pressure in the second half. Thomas Partey missed a golden opportunity to double the lead when he shot wide from the edge of the box after a cut-back from Oleksandr Zinchenko. Ait-Nouri came close to punishing Arsenal’s profligacy with a long-range effort that went inches wide.
Wolves nearly capitalized on a defensive error when William Saliba’s misplaced pass put Matheus Cunha in a good position, but the forward’s hurried shot was easily saved by Raya.
Arsenal responded with a powerful shot from Martin Ødegaard, which was well-saved by Sa. The game was finally put beyond doubt in the 74th minute when Saka received the ball on the right side of the penalty area, maneuvered into a better position, and fired a powerful shot past Sa at his near post to seal the 2-0 win.
The result marks an ideal start for Arsenal as they look to challenge for the Premier League title this season.