Wolves’ 1-0 loss to Arsenal was a frustrating and eventful affair that extended their run of defeats in the Premier League to four. Despite a promising start, which included a controversial red card for Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly after a foul on Matt Doherty, Wolves were unable to take advantage of the numerical advantage. Instead, the game took a turn for the worse when Joao Gomes, already on a yellow card, was sent off for a second booking. The match ultimately saw Riccardo Calafiori break the deadlock, which left Wolves fans heartbroken and further emphasized the team’s mounting frustrations.

Here’s a more detailed look at the Wolves player ratings from the game:

Jose Sa (6): The goalkeeper had a mixed performance. Early on, he played a few loose passes that put his team under pressure, but he made up for it with a crucial, goal-saving stop against Kai Havertz. Despite the defeat, Sa’s efforts between the posts were commendable, especially in keeping Wolves in the game during Arsenal’s attacking spells.

Rayan Ait-Nouri (6): Ait-Nouri was certainly an improvement compared to his display against Chelsea. The left-back was defensively solid and worked tirelessly up and down the flank, providing an outlet for Wolves when they tried to break forward. His offensive contribution was noticeable, and at 23 years old, he is showing his ability to grow into this crucial role.

Emmanuel Agbadou (8.5): One of the standout performers of the match, Agbadou had a stellar game on his home debut. The Ivorian was a rock at the back, consistently denying Arsenal’s attackers and keeping their threat at bay. His resilience and composure on the ball were notable, and he was arguably Wolves’ best player on the pitch.

Santi Bueno (5.5): Bueno did his job, but at times, he was physically outmuscled by the strength of Arsenal’s attacking players. His partnership with Agbadou was solid, but his performance highlighted the need for reinforcements in the Wolves defense, as he struggled against the Gunners’ forwards.

Matt Doherty (6.5): Doherty was at the center of a contentious moment in the match, with Myles Lewis-Skelly receiving a red card for a foul on him. However, aside from the theatrics of the red card incident, Doherty’s defensive performance was solid. He won a majority of his duels and looked more like the player who had previously shone in the Premier League. Despite the controversy surrounding his involvement, he managed to keep Arsenal’s attack in check for large parts of the game.

Nelson Semedo (7): Semedo was a bright spot in what was otherwise a disappointing game for Wolves. He played with leadership on the right side, providing constant width and causing problems for Arsenal’s defense. His decision-making was intelligent, and he was involved in several dangerous passes forward, attempting to create chances for his teammates. A captain’s performance, even in defeat.

Joao Gomes (5): Gomes’ performance was frustrating, as he walked a fine line with his discipline. After receiving an early yellow card, he failed to adapt his game, which ultimately led to his second booking and a sending off. While he provided some bite in midfield, his lack of composure in such a crucial match reflected poorly on him, especially with his manager visibly angry as he walked down the tunnel.

Andre (7): Andre was one of the more composed players in the midfield, demonstrating calmness in both his passing and tackling. He didn’t make as many mistakes as Gomes and helped keep Wolves’ midfield stable under pressure. His cool-headedness was a contrast to Gomes’ recklessness, making him one of the better performers in the midfield on the day.

Pablo Sarabia (4): Sarabia had a disappointing outing. He had an early chance to put Wolves ahead but failed to finish a move created by Semedo. After that, Sarabia struggled to make any significant impact on the game. He appeared fatigued and uninspired, offering little in a match where Wolves needed someone to step up and make a difference.

Matheus Cunha (6.5): Cunha worked hard throughout the match and had several opportunities to score. He had a particularly ambitious attempt and later missed a golden chance that would have leveled the game. While his performance wasn’t perfect, Cunha showed some flashes of quality and was one of the few players who managed to threaten Arsenal’s goal.

Jorgen Strand Larsen (6): It was an unfortunate afternoon for Strand Larsen, who had to be withdrawn early due to injury. Before his exit, the Norwegian’s movement was encouraging, and he looked to link up well with his teammates. His injury was a blow to Wolves, as they were already dealing with several issues, and his absence left them with fewer attacking options.

Substitutes:

Hwang Hee-chan (5): Hwang was called upon after Strand Larsen’s injury but failed to make much of an impact. His performance left much to be desired, as he couldn’t even pull off the simplest of tasks, disappointing the fans and his teammates alike.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (2): Bellegarde’s cameo was abysmal. Coming on in a time when Wolves needed something special, he failed to deliver and did himself no favors with a performance that left much to be criticized. His struggles since joining Wolves continued in this match, and he’s yet to prove his worth since arriving in 2023.

Tommy Doyle, Rodrigo Gomes, Goncalo Guedes (N/A): These players didn’t have enough time to make an impact and were left as substitutes without much chance to change the course of the game.

Overall, the match was a disappointing one for Wolves, as they squandered a chance to capitalize on Arsenal’s man disadvantage. While players like Agbadou and Semedo had solid performances, the team’s lack of discipline and offensive sharpness ultimately cost them the game. Wolves will need to regroup quickly if they are to end their losing streak and improve their performances in the upcoming fixtures.