Premier League Half Time: Havertz Headers to Break the Deadlock, Raya Makes a Stunning Save, Arsenal Leads Wolves

Key Events 25th minute, Arsenal breaks the deadlock! Saka delivers an accurate cross from the right, Havertz gets ahead of the defense and heads the ball into the net. Arsenal 1-0 Wolves. Match Report

August 17, 22:00, Round 1 of the 2024/25 English Premier League season, Arsenal hosts Wolves at home.

The 5th minute, Doherty unleashes a powerful shot inside the box, Gabriel fearlessly blocks it with his chest. The 9th minute, Havertz plays a neat one-two with Odegaard in the front court, Havertz breaks into the box and goes down after colliding with Lemina, replays show it was a fair challenge. The 15th minute, Thomas threads a through ball, Saka shakes off two defenders in the box and shoots near post but is brilliantly saved by Jose Sa. The 19th minute, Havertz’s control on the edge of the box turns into an assist, Saka follows up with a right-footed push but the angle is too straight. The 23rd minute, Joao Gomes fouls Martinelli from behind with a sliding tackle and receives a yellow card from the referee. The 31st minute, Saka falls in the box after physical contact with Totti Gomes, no penalty awarded by the referee. The 36th minute, Arsenal’s midfield gives away possession, Hwang Hee-chan seizes the ball and crosses from the right, Larsen dives to head the ball but Raya makes an incredible save. The 38th minute, Totti Gomes commits a tactical foul pulling down Havertz who had broken through, earning a yellow card. The 44th minute, Rice cleverly threads a pass forward, Martinelli cuts inside and takes a shot from a tight angle which is blocked by a defender for a corner.

At half time, Arsenal leads Wolves 1-0.

Player List

Arsenal Starting Lineup (4-3-3): 22-Raya; 17-Zinchenko; 4-White; 6-Gabriel; 2-Saliba; 5-Thomas; 8-Odegaard; 41-Rice; 29-Havertz; 11-Martinelli; 7-Saka

Bench: 1-Ramsdale; 12-Timber; 33-Calafiori; 20-Jorginho; 53-Nwaneri; 19-Trossard; 9-Jesus; 24-Nelson; 14-Nketiah

Wolves Starting Lineup (3-5-2): 1-Jose Sa; 2-Doherty; 3-Nuiri; 24-Totti Gomes; 14-Mosquera; 5-Lemina; 27-Bellegrade; 8-Joao Gomes; 19-Rodrigo Gomes; 11-Hwang Hee-chan; 9-Larsen

Bench: 25-Bentley; 15-Dawson; 4-Bueno; 21-Saravia; 10-Podence; 20-Dow; 29-Guedes; 12-Kunyah; 23-Higinio