Wolves had three Premier League debutants on Saturday – one being striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Wanderers fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, but turned in a decent performance against a very good side who will surely be challenging for the Premier League title this season.
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka got the goals for Arsenal. But Wolves had some good spells in the game in terms of possession.
On another day, Wanderers might have come away with something. Gary O’Neil‘s side had two very good chances through Jorgen Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha, but David Raya made two saves.
His first from Strand Larsen was top-class. The second, Cunha probably should have done better.
But O’Neil was fairly pleased with what he saw, as were many fans.
Strand Larsen enjoyed a decent first outing in the Premier League and yesterday, he reacted to the defeat on social media.
Jorgen Strand Larsen sends message to Wolves fans after making PL debut v Arsenal
Strand Larsen had caught the eye in pre-season, although he didn’t score.
From the small sample size so far, the Norwegian looks to be someone who will provide good hold-up play, but also run the channels. There was one example of this against Arsenal when he really put the afterburners on in the first-half and raced into the area from the right side before providing a cross.
He was unlucky not to score with his headed chance in the first-half. Had he got a lighter contact, it would surely have beaten Raya.
But Strand Larsen, despite lacking service for the most part, made a decent impression in one of the toughest fixtures he will play all season.
Pundit Janusz Michallik was left impressed by his showing. O’Neil also described the striker’s movement as ‘fantastic’.
Yesterday, Strand Larsen took to Instagram to make his Premier League debut, writing to fans: “Tough game, but happy to get my debut. A lot of positives to take with us! Thanks for your support and see you at Molineux.”
Captain Mario Lemina replied ‘Yes bro let’s go 🔥 congrats for your debut 🫡’.
Fellow new signing Rodrigo Gomes sent a couple of hearts, and Hugo Bueno – who recently joined Feyenoord on loan – said ‘Congratulations on your debut brother’.
Encouraging signs early doors with Strand Larsen
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Games against Arsenal at the Emirates are never easy, so Strand Larsen can be fairly pleased with how his debut went.
He did not get much service, but he still had some good moments in the game. It would have been a dream start for the bid man had the header gone in.
Wolves have been crying out for a focal point up top and he does look like he will be that man. But he’ll also run the channels, which can create space for the likes of Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan to flood to box.
Hopefully, that first goal will come very soon. Ideally, he will get off the mark against Chelsea this weekend.