Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 – 4 Arsenal

0 – 1 Zubar (28 o.g.)
0 – 2 Craddock (35 o.g.)
0 – 3 Fabregas (45)
0 – 4 Arshavin (65)
1 – 4 Craddock (88)

Until teatime today, the Premier League table reflects the how much progress has been made this season, games in hand eliminated from the equation. Yesterday’s win was another indication of what has been put right by growing maturity of younger players, combined with a settled team and stronger central defence.

Wolves started brightly, Arsenal weathering an early storm to pass a tally of 100 goals in a Premier League year. That the century was achieved with two own goals is neither here nor there but indicative of a change in fortunes from November 2008 and the short burst of last season leading up to it.

The hosts could have taken the lead before their own ham-fisted intervention. Gibbs cleared a Doyle effort off the line whilst Berra should have beaten Almunia with a flicked header having been left unmarked in the Arsenal area, instead making solid contact for the perfect defensive header.

Needlessly fouling Eduardo on the left, Zubar let Arsenal create pressure leading to a corner. The resultant set-piece found its way into the Wolves net via his leg, Eduardo failing to make contact with the ball.

Within ten minutes, Wolves two-goal hero from last week, Jody Craddock had turned the ball into his own net, inadvertantly deflecting Eduardo’s chip over Hennessey even further out of the ‘keeper’s reach. Ramsey had been the lynchpin of the attack, retaining a composure to free the Croat to extract maximum damage, a composure that belied his youth. Arsenal were in cruise control without applying too much effort. Having promised his team would not rollover and let Arsenal tickle their bellies, Mick McCarthy’s team resembled a guard dog willing to take burglars to the safe, give them the combination and then help load the swag into bags for a clean getaway.

Chasing the game left many gaps in the Wolves defence. Against a team so effective on the break, it was tantamount to suicide football. The punishment came with half-time beckoning. Fabregas picked the ball up inside his own half, finding Sagna. The full back linked with van Persie who returned the ball to Fabregas, gliding across the pitch effortlessly, finding a calm and collected finish to end the contest.

With a three goal lead at half-time, inevitably the second half was lower key. Arsenal controlled, Wolves chased but to little or no effect. Arshavin hit a fourth halfway through with a snapshot from the edge of the area, emphasising the goal difference gap between Arsenal and United. There could have been more than four but no dount Wenger will look to strengthen his forward line in January as they are obviously not capable of scoring enough goals.

Wenger observed after the game:

We have a style where everyone goes forward. You cannot have everything in football, but I believe we have a good balance between offense and defence, and as long as we score as many goals as we do, we can accept that

The failure to keep a clean sheet will no doubt irritate him but not cause too many sleepless nights, Vermaelen was lost perhaps too easily at the corner by Craddock who jumped relatively unhindered to score at the death.

The pivotal moment in the game no doubt came with the introduction of Alex Song. Whilst the midfield was not overrun with Diaby playing the defensive role, not his natural game. Song’s influence in that position cannot be understated. His presence is similar to that of Gilberto Silva, emphasised when he is absent. A sign of the tremendous strides taken by the Cameroonian in his career, winning over the doubters with every game.

Aaron Ramsey made a solid contribution to the side. He has much to learn but his composure in setting Eduardo free for the second was in marked contrast to the rush of blood he suffered against Tottenham. It is a good sign for the player that he learns that quickly from mistakes. His overall passing was good and he worked hard to cover the pitch in defensive duties, such as they were.

In particular, his inclusion is a signal to other youngsters in the squad. Called in to rotate the first choice midfield, his performance vindicated the manager’s belief that he has a good set of players and his confidence in them. This season is a stepping stone for him in his pursuit of a first team spot in coming campaigns and a template for Merida and Wilshere to follow.

A very good win and one that leads the club into the international break in good shape. ’til Tomorrow.