Wolves kicked off their Premier League campaign with a defeat to Arsenal – but one of Gary O’Neil’s new signings caught the eye of pundit Janusz Michallik.
Wanderers lost 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, but gave a decent account of themselves in the capital.
Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead midway through the first-half, heading in a Bukayo Saka cross with Jose Sa getting stranded.
Wolves enjoyed a solid start to the second half and knocked the ball around with confidence. But it was difficult to break Arsenal down, and the Gunners then went and found a second goal through Saka to kill Wolves’ momentum.
Yerson Mosquera enjoyed a bright debut for Wolves, and there were also lively moments for Rodrigo Gomes.
Jorgen Strand Larsen also did well despite limited service, and pundit Janusz Michallik was left impressed by the Norwegian on his debut.
Janusz Michallik praises Jorgen Strand Larsen after making debut for Wolves in defeat to Arsenal
Strand Larsen joined Wolves earlier this summer from Celta Vigo, and the club will pay around £25 million in total for the player, who is on loan at the moment.
It will apparently only take a handful of appearances before Wolves will have to pay the money.
Strand Larsen impressed in pre-season despite not scoring, and on Saturday against Arsenal, he was thrown straight in against Arsenal.
The 24-year-old did not have the best service. But his movement was really good, and it was a case of fine margins for him because David Raya pulled off a great save from him in the first-half.
Hwang Hee-chan delivered a brilliant cross from the right side and Strand Larsen met it with a header. But Raya just got enough on it to keep it out – had Strand Larsen got a lighter contact, it would have been a goal.
Michallik gave his thoughts on the game afterwards in a video for ESPN FC, and he praised Strand Larsen for his display.
He said: “I liked what I saw from Larsen. Where did he come from? From Celta, right? I remember 13, 14 goals last season, a big man, what’s he like, 6ft 4in or something like that. That chance he had today, perhaps he should have put it away.”
Wolves have been comfortably beaten by Arsenal in recent meetings.
But on Saturday there were good signs from Wolves and that level of performance should result in points against teams who are not title contenders.
Predicting how Wolves will get on this season, Michallik added: “I think Wolves are going to be safe. Gary O’Neil is a good manager, and this is the sort of team that is going to find itself somewhere in the middle of the park, maybe you know 12th, 13th, 14th, but no lower.”
Strand Larsen did well, but he needs better service
Strand Larsen can be fairly pleased with his Premier League debut for Wolves against Arsenal.
It was always likely to be a quiet afternoon for him at the Emirates, with Arsenal a team that dominates the ball.
But he did well in parts. He showed for the ball a lot, coming deep and laying it off to teammates. He also showed good pace down the right side at one point in the first-half, and he was a bit unlucky with his headed chance.
Wolves should seek to involve him more in the coming games. He is clearly a good outlet, but also someone who will run the channels if needs be.
Surely against teams that aren’t as good as Arsenal, this will be more likely to happen.