Premier League Ratings: Arsenal 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Gunners leave it late to keep title hopes alive...


ARSENAL

Manuel Almunia - 7 - Had to be on his toes on a handful of occasions to thwart the Wolves attack but all in all, a comfortable afternoon for the Spaniard.

Bacary Sagna - 7 - Was given freedom to attack thanks to a non-existent Wolves left midfield, and the Frenchman linked up well with Theo Walcott. Managed to deliver a couple of probing crosses and overlapped to limited success.

Sol Campbell - 6.5 - Had little to cope with, but looked calm and composed. Like the Campbell of old.

Thomas Vermaelen - 7 - Rarely tested by a limp Wolves attack, and enjoyed a decent partnership with Sol Campbell at the heart of the Arsenal defence.

Mickael Silvestre - 7 - Had to deal with the tricky Matt Jarvis - who was Wolves' most effective player - and was found wanting on a couple of occasions. Nearly got himself on the scoresheet but shot right at Hahnemann in the first half.

Emmanuel Eboue - 6 - A quiet game for the Ivorian, who cut a frustrated figure at times, much like his manager on the sidelines.

Alexandre Song - 6 - Failed to shine in a game with plenty of possession for the home side.

Denilson - 5.5 - Most fans will have hardly noticed the little Brasilian, as the game mostly passed him by without any sort of knowing impact.

Theo Walcott - 8 - Took it upon himself to try and win the game for the Gunners, with a series of marauding runs down the right. Often found Elokobi in resolute form, but managed to get in a handful of crosses.

Eduardo - 7 - Looked far from fit or sharp enough to be the match-winner he has been in the past.

Tomas Rosicky - 8 - Looked sharp and inventive as Arsenal looked for a goal and had a number of shots but found Hahnemann in fine form.
Substitutes

Nicklas Bendtner - 7.5 - Put himself about but did little before nodding in Sagna's cross to win the game for the Gunners. It was an excellent header and saved Wenger's blushes.

Samir Nasri - 7 - Was thrown on in an attacking move, and the little Frenchman looked neat and tidy, slicing Wolves open with a couple of neat flicks.

Carlos Vela - n/a


WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Marcus Hahnemann - 9 - Man of the Match by a mile, thwarting Arsenal on numerous occasions. The pick of the bunch was a left-handed claw of the ball from an Eduardo placed shot.

Ronald Zubar - 7 - Tried to press forward but mostly found himself camped in his own half dealing with the runs of Rosicky and Eduardo.

Jody Craddock - 7.5 - Dealt with most things Arsenal chucked his way, especially in the air, and marshalled his defence well.

Christophe Berra - 7 - Stood strong against the tricky Arsenal forwards and gave Eduardo little space to work with. A few last ditch tackles nearly earned his side a point.

George Elokobi - 7.5 - Given a tough task when Mick McCarthy asked him to deal with Theo Walcott's jinking runs, and the left-back was often found wanting, but managed to put in a few knowing challenges.

Karl Henry - 6.5 - Had little impact on the game, and his afternoon was rounded off with a silly red card for a rash challenge on Roscky.

Kevin Foley - 7 - Spent most of the match chasing the ball, but worked hard to thwart the Gunners midfielders and limit chances.

Michael Mancienne - 8 - Snapped at Rosicky's heals and protected his defence well with a hard-working display. Used the ball well when he did find it at his feet.

David Jones - 6 - Quiet game from Jones, who had little impact.

Matthew Jarvis - 7 - Tried his best to tie the Arsenal defence in knots, and often had joy against the sluggish Silvestre, but found clear chances hard to come by.

Kevin Doyle - 6.5 - A lonely figure up front, chances were very limited for Wolves' main goal threat. Was taken off midway through the second half.

Substitutes

David Edwards - 6 - Worked hard against the Arsenal midfield but was left behind by Rosicky and Nasri on a few occasions.

Andy Keogh - 6.5 - Put in a good shift up front on his own, but found chances very limited.