Arsenal player ratings vs Wolves as Bukayo Saka shines but two 5/10s flop in late win

ARSENAL 2-1 WOLVES: Gunners' player performances rated after Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal produced a dramatic late show to defeat Wolves on Saturday night. Gabriel Jesus' late headed chance was deflected in by the unfortunate Yerson Mosquera to spare the Gunners blushes.

Arsenal endured a difficult first half, where they failed to create many meaningful opportunities; in fact, Hee-chan Hwang had the best, forcing a save from David Raya after a rare breakaway.

The frustration, however, continued into the second half as Wolves sat deep absorbing pressure, parking the bus as Arsenal were forced to try and find ways to break the side down.

A dogged game which saw the deadlock broken in a way it perhaps deserved, Bukayo Saka, directly from a corner, saw the ball curl into the back post before hitting Sam Johnstone in the back and deflecting in. However a late goal flicked in by Arokodare stunned a frustrated Emirates crowd.

But it would take just minutes for the Gunners to go into the lead again when Saka's effort delivery eventually saw Mosquera turn into his own net.

Here is how football.london rated the performances of the Arsenal players:

David Raya – Good save to deny Hee-chan Hwang after a dangerous breakaway. Was helpless to stop the Wolves goal from close range. 6

Ben White – Suffered a hamstring injury in the first half as the Arsenal injury situation worsens. n/a

Jurrien Timber – Headed over from close range in the opening stages. Had to move to right back after White came off and mainly serviced the star boy Saka. 6

William Saliba – Returned after a period of absence into the back four but the game sort of passed through him as he was not truly tested, mainly responsible for passing out from the back. 6

Piero Hincapie – Slipped in the box but recovered to produce an amazing sliding block to prevent a certain Strand Larsen goal. A great steal off Tolu Arokodare in the box to deny a potential chance. Beaten in the air late on by Arokodare. 7

Martin Zubimendi – One of his quietest games so far, and came off on 58 minutes to a standing ovation as he walked round the pitch, but even he was frustrated. 6

Declan Rice – Lacked the consistent danger on his deliveries in the first half. Moved deeper into the number six role after Arteta made some early changes in the second half.

Had a couple long-range shots in the second half which tested Johnstone, forced into some desperate saves. 6

Eberechi Eze – Was very ineffective in the first half despite playing the number ten role as so many have wished. Came off early, however, ending a poor performance after picking up the Arsenal player of the month for November pre-match. 5

Bukayo Saka – The majority of attacks were coming from the winger’s side as he found cross after cross which both Rice, Timber and White should have done more with.

A whacky goal to score to break the stalemate, directly from a corner and rather poetic considering the state of the game, and also the winger 's standout display. It was his cross at the end again which proved to be the different, forcing the late goal. 8

Viktor Gyokeres – Was caught on his heels in the box again as Saka found an amazing cross. Failed to hold the ball up, make meaningful runs in behind to show for teammates, and again was too slow to realise the design behind Martinelli’s ball early in the second half.

Headed wide after a Saka cross came into the box, flicking it up and left of the post. Improved as the half went on, hold-up play was stronger, and he was unlucky to see a shot skew wide after a good spin in the box. 6

Gabriel Martinelli – Missed a huge headed chance at the back post from a Rice corner, a simple tap-in headed away from goal instead. Had another couple of chances again at the back which he failed to connect well with. Not a good night overall. 5

Substitutes:

Myles Lewis-Skelly – Came on and was immediately energetic and progressive in his play, finding the runs moving forward.

Martin Odegaard – Came on to replace Eberechi Eze. He was definitely more involved than the man he replaced, and combined well with Saka, but snatched at his chances. 6

Mikel Merino – Came on to replace Martin Zubimendi. Definitely added the physicality Arsenal were lacking in midfield, but he too saw the game pass him by for the most part. 6

Leandro Trossard – Came on to replace Gabriel Martinelli. Had a chance late on and fired wide into the side netting. 6

Gabriel Jesus – His first game at the Emirates since January 12, replacing Viktor Gyokeres. His leap and pressure on Mosquera proving to be the difference at the end of the game as the Gunners just about pulled it off. 7