Wolves fell to a gutting 2-1 defeat against Arsenal, but there were several positives to take for Rob Edwards.
Wolves were moments away from holding the Premier League leaders to a draw at the Emirates, after a really organised display.
Tolu Arokodare’s superb header prompted scenes of jubilation in the away end, and Wolves looked set to take a deserved point.
But slack defending and marking resulted in a last-gasp Arsenal winner, with Yerson Mosquera putting into his own net.
It was a real sickener for Wolves. But there were several likeable aspects of Wolves’ display, and the showing of Emmanuel Agbadou was one of those.
- READ MORE: Three winners and two losers from Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Arsenal featuring Fer Lopez and Rob Edwards
Dave Edwards makes big claim about Emmanuel Agbadou’s performance vs Arsenal
Agbadou has had a very strange season to say the least.
Last term, he was a colossus for Wanderers after arriving mid-season from Reims.
Agbadou immediately won Player of the Month at Molineux, and turned in several outstanding defensive performances.
This season though, Agbadou has been nowhere near the same player.
Did Emmanuel Agbadou have his best game for Wolves this season against Arsenal? 👀
Dave Edwards thinks so!
For the first few months he was all over the place, and was actually a liability at times.
However, since Rob Edwards came in, Agbadou has rather sorted himself out – and against Arsenal he did at times look close to the player of last season.
His display certainly impressed Dave Edwards, who said of the Ivorian in his latest E&S column: “Emmanuel Agbadou’s improvement under Edwards has been much needed and this was his best game this season, a real rock in the heart of defence.”
- READ MORE: Dave Edwards names the Wolves player Arsenal’s Declan Rice actually ‘hated’ playing against
Agbadou AFCON exit is untimely for Wolves
Agbadou’s performance against Arsenal was encouraging.
The Ivorian was decent on the ball, and was also on hand to clear the ball very often. Sofascore data indicates he made eight clearances, with only Toti Gomes making more (12).
Tell us the Wolves defence you now want to see, with Agbadou leaving for AFCON!
Stick with a back three? A Krejci and Bueno partnership perhaps? Let us know in the comments 🤔
Now, of course, Wolves are losing Agbadou for several weeks due to AFCON. The defender is joining up with Ivory Coast, which will enforce a change to Wolves’ backline.
Edwards has a few ways to replace Agbadou, but certainly, his exit doesn’t come at the best time, with him looking much improved of late.
Receive a digest of our best Wolverhampton Wanderers content each week direct to your mailbox
Join the fan conversation
