Arsenal 2-0 Wolves LIVE RESULT: Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz goals seal first three points of the season – latest updates
ARSENAL won their first Premier League game of the season with a 2-0 victory over Wolves.
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka both got on the scoresheet and set each other up as the Gunners kicked off their season in style.
- Kick-off: 3pm BST
- TV channel: This game will not be broadcast live in the UK
- Arsenal team: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
- Wolves team: Sa, Doherty, Mosquera, Toti, Ait-Nouri, Bellegarde, Lemina, J. Gomes, R. Gomes, Hwang, Strand Larsen
Follow ALL of the latest updates below...
Match report
IT took Kai Havertz 20 games to score his first for Arsenal from open play last season.
But this year, the big German is ready to rumble from the off – his opening day header in the 25th minute helping the Gunners to a dream start to their Premier League title surge.
Boss Mikel Arteta is still in two minds over where to play his £65million star – beginning last term as a midfielder before ending as a No9 with a flurry of goals taking his tally to 14.
Yet when you see how lethal Havertz is when leading this line, it is hard to explain why Arteta insists on keeping an open mind when it comes to the 25-year-old.
His near-post header was a thing of simplistic beauty, one that harped back to an old-age era of big lumps up top.
The precision of Bukayo Saka’s delivery, cutting in from the left, was met with the bravery of Havertz – even if the defending from Wolves left a lot to be desired, and Gary O’Neil red with rage on the Emirates touchline.
And for Wolves
They have Chelsea, Newcastle and Aston Villa in their next five games too.
Big games, tough games all coming thick and fast!
What next?
Blimey, Arsenal head into a tricky set of fixtures to kick off the new season.
Coming through this lot would stand them in good stead for the new season.
They're at Aston Villa next before Brighton - who were great in their 3-0 win today - visit the Emirates.
A trip to Spurs before a trip to Man City follows. Jeez.
More from Arteta
The Arsenal boss speaking to BBC Sport said: "At 1-0 it was not enough. We had enough chances in the first half to finish the game but we didn't. Overall very happy.
"Kai Havertz was involved in a lot of positive actions, he scored a great goal. He is in a good place.
"We should have opened the gap in terms of the scoreline much earlier."
The Gunners boss was asked about any incomings to the club. He replied: "The market is open, it is a possibility."
Arteta reacts
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admits being 'really happy' with his side's start to the season.
He told Sky Sports: "I am really happy. With the first game you have some uncertainty in how you will respond.
"We had our moment after 1-0 when we were not in control but after Saka's goal we were much more comfortable. The way the boys go about their job is unbelievable, so very happy.
"We knew Wolves could change the game and they did in the second half but with our changes we became a bit stronger.
"We certainly are. We had a really good pre-season. There are things to improve for sure, but overall very happy.
"The start of the second half we gave so many simple balls away. We also had to finish situations better but overall very happy."
Match ratings from SunSport’s Isabelle Barker
ATTACKERS
GABRIEL MARTINELLI 7 - Solid performance but was wasteful and selfish when he could have laid the ball back to Declan Rice when he was wide open.
KAI HAVERTZ 8 - His opener had been brewing for a while when he produced a crisp finish on 25 minutes. He has now scored 10 goals in his last 15 Premier League games. Scuppered a golden chance early in the second-half though.
🌟BUKAYO SAKA 10🌟 - The opener was all about the cross from Saka. It was an inch-perfect, in-swinging cross into the box, the keeper couldn’t come for it, the defenders didn't want to knock it into their own net, and Havertz took full advantage. He wrapped up a perfect performance by firing a rocket into the top corner to make it 2-0.
Match ratings from SunSport’s Isabelle Barker
MIDFIELDERS
DECLAN RICE 6 - Had little influence throughout the game and came off injured on 84-minutes.
THOMAS PARTEY 7 - Solid display, buzzed about all over the pitch and was neat and tidy with his distribution. Nearly made it 2-0 in the second-half with a rasping, low shot.
MARTIN ODEGAARD 7 - A joy to watch in the first-half but needed to sharpen up in the second-half. Held onto the ball for too long doing flicks and tricks which put Arsenal under the cosh.
Match ratings from SunSport's Isabelle Barker
DEFENDERS
DAVID RAYA 9 - Produced a jaw-dropping save in the opening-half on an awkward Jorgen Strand Larsen header. Saved Saliba’s skins late on when he nearly produced a monumental cock-up by passing the ball straight to Cunha.
BEN WHITE 7 - White wanted a goal so bad, had two shots in the opening half and was linking the play well.
WILLIAM SALIBA 6 - Was the culprit of a number of poor passes. Had a disastrous spell which gifted Wolves a chance, forcing Raya into that blinding save in the first-half. He then passed the ball straight to Matheus Cunha who so very nearly equalised in the second-half.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES 7 - Was mostly rock solid at the back and was more reliable than Saliba but still made a few questionable tackles.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO 6 - Put the Gunners under pressure at times to highlight why the club signed Riccardo Calafiori in the summer. The Ukrainian left-back also looked weak defensively.
How we stand
An early look at the Premier League table then, with the Gunners finding themselves in a familiar spot.
Brighton's 3-0 win at Everton today puts them top, with Arsenal slotting just in behind.
Havertz reacts
Today's opening goal scorer, Kai Havertz heaped praised on team-mate Bukayo Saka.
He also insisted there was more to come from Arsenal, saying there was plenty to improve on today.
He told Sky Sports: "We can be happy but there was some room to improve.
"The first 20 minutes were good. We had good chances. We then lost a bit of control of the game and our press didn't work. Always 100% we defended deep very well. We didn't give them a lot of chances and it is three points.
"Saka is unbelievable. There are not a lot of players like him on the planet and he is still so young. He can get better. It is very rare to see a young player like this perform every week at the highest level"
Match by numbers
A look at the match stats which show Arsenal having 18 attempts at goal in the 90 minutes.
Their possession dropped considerably from 64% at half time to finishing with just 53% as Wolves crept back into it.
FT: Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka struck either side of half time to get Arsenal off and running on the opening weekend.
Saka's goal coming when Wolves looked at their most threatening, with that sucker punch making the final 15 minutes a non-contest.
It's the start Mikel Arteta was looking for. Reaction to come.
FULL TIME!
The Gunners with three points on the board after the opening day!
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
93. Great stuff from Wolves down the right as Cunha works hard to get a cross into the box.
Sarabia is running onto it and volleys at goal from 15 yards out but doesn't catch it quite right.
Raya with one for the cameras to palm it away at full stretch.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
91. Arsenal win another corner which Trossard will take this time.
It's another decent ball but comfortably headed clear once again.
Wolves then go on the break but Doherty can't keep the ball alive when played in down their right.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
90. Five minutes added on at the end of this one.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
89. Martinelli is bundled over on the Arsenal right and wins a free kick near the byline.
Odegaard's cross is headed away easily inside the six-yard box.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
88. Gabriel Jesus is booked for a shove while play had stopped on Mosquera.
The big, strong centre half throws himself to ground and the Brazilian picks up a yellow. All a bit daft really.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
86. Wolves scream for a penalty as Hwang gets in behind Timber down the Wolves right.
He's pushed by two hands in the back by Timber and goes to ground but the referee waves play on.
As he's done all afternoon, VAR Paul Tierney agrees with the referee and his call stands here. Both he and boss Gary O'Neil are booked for dissent.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
84. That free kick is eventually taken and the high, hopeful cross is plucked out the air by David Raya.
Good goalkeeping.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
84. Rice has actually been replaced for the final five minutes.
- OFF: Rice
- ON: Jesus
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
82. Cunha is fouled by Rice midway inside the Arsenal half but it's the Arsenal man who has stayed down.
It looks like a bit of cramp, which is a sore one but he's rolling around in pain as Havertz tries to treat him.
First time I've seen him get cramp, a signal that he's clearly not ready to be thrust back in for 90 minutes.
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
79. Arsenal taking the sting out the game now as that goal has knocked the stuffing out Wolves.
And Saka is given a rest for the final ten minutes.
- OFF: Saka
- ON: Trossard
Arsenal 2-0 Wolves
74. Bukayo Saka is up and running this season!
He's squared up with Rayan Aït-Nouri on the Arsenal right and the Wolves man inexplicably allows Saka inside on his left foot.
Saka from inside the box looks like he's going to whip one into the far corner, instead giving the keeper the eyes and firing it in near the front post.
Poor defending from the Wolves man who knows showing him down the line takes away any danger. But good play from Saka and a good finish against the run of play!
Against the run of play - they double their lead!
