Wolves fans were all left in agreement about centre-back Toti Gomes after slipping to a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Wolves kicked off the start of the new season with two new signings in their starting XI, as Jorgen Strand Larsen and Rodrigo Gomes made their Premier League debuts.
But it was the hosts who dominated the opening exchanges, as expected, with Kai Havertz heading them in front following a Bukayo Saka cross that was uncontested.
Gary O’Neil’s men then came close to equalising just before half-time as Strand Larsen’s excellent header produced a superb save from David Raya.
The visitors then carried that momentum into the second period but were stopped in their tracks when Saka netted Arsenal’s second to put the game out of Wolves’ reach.
Supporters would have been pleased with how their side battled towards the end of the match however, they were left displeased by the performance of centre-back Toti Gomes.
Wolves fans weren’t happy with Toti Gomes against Arsenal
Wolves started with a back four against Arsenal, a formation they’ve predominantly used in pre-season, as Yerson Mosquera partnered Toti in the heart of the defence.
Whilst Mosquera gave a good account of himself on debut, his Portuguese counterpart struggled in a back four, having previously flourished on the left side of a back three.
Fans were critical of how shaky he looked in possession and some even called for O’Neil to sign a new left-sided defender.
Reacting to his performance via X, one supporter said: “Pretty uninspiring stuff. Toti isn’t good enough for a back 4 and both goals were unavoidable,” while another added: “Mosquera will be fine, Toti needs to be upgraded – missed Semedo at right back.”
A third responded: “Defensively we look okay although Toti makes me nervous. Going forward we need to move the baller a little quicker.”
One supporter continued the trend by claiming Toti struggled, saying: “I think on the whole we have done ok. We have some threat. Great save from Raya. Toti has struggled the most though,” while a sixth continued: “Toti looks lost honestly. Been off the mark by a mile so far this half. Hopefully he can turn it around, but already on a yellow might call GON to call upon the bench.”
Toti simply can’t play in a back four
Without two defenders supporting him in the previous three-at-the-back system, Toti struggled alongside the inexperienced Mosquera, with the 25-year-old looking like it was his league debut instead.
He was often erratic with his challenges and wasteful in possession; two attributes that render a player incapable of playing in four-man defence.
As per Sofascore, the Portuguese international rated the lowest of any player in the Wolves starting XI (6.2) while only winning two of his ground duels.
Against a world-class team like Arsenal, who will punish you for any little mistake, Toti had to be much better and his shortcomings were exposed in a four-at-the-back system.
This performance will certainly give O’Neil food for thought in the final two weeks of the transfer window, as it’s become evident that for him to continue using this formation, another centre-back has to be signed.