Opinion

Three winners and two losers from Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Arsenal featuring Fer Lopez and Rob Edwards

Wolves put on a proud performance against the Premier League leaders, Arsenal, and probably deserved more than the 2-1 defeat handed to them.

Two own goals would end up being the architects of Wolves’ loss, and that pretty much sums up the Old Gold’s season.

The Wanderers scored every single goal in the match but still ended up on the losing side.

Tolu Arokodare pointed to poor defending for the winning goal, and that has been a recurring theme all season.

The Nigerian is jotted down as one of our winners, and there are two more joining him, as well as two losers.

Despite defeat, there were plenty of positives to take away from that Wolves performance.

Tolu Arokodare celebration after scoring vs Arsenal
Photo by Brett Patzke – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
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Winners

Fer Lopez

When Fer Lopez came on, the dynamic of the game changed. Whether that was directly to do with him or the fact Arsenal decided to sit back can be debated.

However, one thing that was noticeable was that he never shied away from the ball, and he was always looking to pick it up.

With Jean-Ricner Bellegarde out for six weeks, that is quality that will be missed, and the Spaniard can replace it.

Promising stuff from the young attacking midfielder.

Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal is challenged by Fer Lopez of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Tolu Arokodare

Tolu Arokodare was not given many chances against Arsenal; in fact, he scored with his only registered shot.

The header from the Nigerian was not well placed, but the sheer amount of power he was able to generate left David Raya at a standstill.

After Jorgen Strand Larsen’s struggles, Arokodare is surely now in line to start the next game against Brentford.

Rob Edwards will be secretly delighted the forward was not selected to travel for AFCON.

Has Tolu Arokodare done enough to displace Jorgen Strand Larsen in the starting XI?

Tolu Arokodare became the first Nigerian player to score a Premier League goal for Wolves.

Tolu Arokodare celebration against Arsenal
Photo by Brett Patzke – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
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Mateus Mane

Mateus Mane was one of Wolves’ biggest bright sparks at the Emirates despite playing just four minutes plus added time.

The youngster was the definition of a game-changer, popping up with a massive assist at a crucial point of the game and against one of the best in the Premier League.

That is sure to give him a lot of confidence, despite how the game ultimately ended. Mane proved he is ready for the top flight, and now he has to start getting more minutes.

The 18-year-old must be in the starting XI against Brentford.

Losers

Santiago Bueno

Even though Emmanuel Agbadou is off to AFCON now, it feels as if Santiago Bueno has begun drifting far from the Wolves starting XI.

At points this season, he was one of the Old Gold’s best players, and under Rob Edwards, he has yet to feature in a game.

With Agbadou away, you suspect that Krejci will replace him, as the duo of Toti Gomes and Yerson Mosquera has formed a decent defensive unit so far.

It seems hard to see where Bueno will be given a chance to show his quality again.

Wolves defender Santiago Bueno arriving Selhurst Park.
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images

Rob Edwards

In many ways, Rob Edwards could have ended up in either category, but he has been chosen here, not because of the decisions he made, but because of the card that has been dealt to him.

There was nothing else Wolves could do against Arsenal tactically. They were well-drilled, well-disciplined, and extremely well-organised.

However, they can never seem to get over that hump, and misfortune keeps falling their way. Rob Edwards has been given one of the toughest jobs in the Premier League, and no matter how well he coaches, he does not seem to bear any fruit.