Key Incidents:
Goal (Arsenal) (53) – Very, very reluctantly, Mike Riley pointed to the spot. He seemed determined not to, turning down two good first half appeals. Even when Jose was clearly pulled down he still stood motionless, but was powerless to refuse to point to the spot after Oakes challenge on Henry. To my horror, Paddy stepped up. Visions of that miss against Sunderland flooded my mind, but as he cooly slotted the ball into the corner, I was forced to admit that I was wrong to doubt him.
Goal (Arsenal) (82) – The goal that finally killed the game. Having spurned chance after chance, Henry broke free and put a low cross in, which Freddie could not fail to convert.
Man Of The Match – Emmanuel Eboue
Player Ratings
Jens Lehmann - 6 - Had very little today, as the Wolves attack only threatened from distance.
Gael Clichy - 7 - Good defensively and great going forward. He was left exposed for periods of the game, but coped with any pressure very well.
Pascal Cygan - 6.5 - Only thing I can fault him on is his lack of vision. On three occasions in the first half he charged into midfield before slamming the ball all the way through to their keeper. A waste of the ball. However, he did have a good game at the back.
Sol Campbell - 7 - Another solid performance. Reassuring to know that we will have at least one quality centre back on Tuesday, after the foolishness of Kolo Toure in getting himself suspended.
Emmanuel Eboue - 8 - I was highly impressed with him. His positioning was good, and his ability in the air was also very tidy. His attacking strength was also on display for all to see and he was unlucky not to score after hitting the bar, or get a penalty after it seemed he was clearly impeded. His pace was electrifying at times during the second half as he left defenders for dead, and set up good moves. Well played all round, in only his second appearance for the club.
Jose Reyes - 6.5 - Fairly quiet today. He had a few runs which came to nothing, and a few shots which fizzed over, but in the second half did very little, barring being involved in a few movements.
Patrick Vieira - 7 - I can't quite decide with him today. He very much mirrors the game he had against Newcastle, with a very sporadic first half, but a much improved second.
Mathieu Flamini - 7.5 - Again he showed his great work rate. Put in the full ninety minutes and got on with whatever he had to do.
Freddie Ljungberg - 7 - Got hold of the ball and always looked dangerous. Eventually got his reward for a hard days work when he bagged the second.
Thierry Henry - 7 - I was surprised to hear that he would play, with such a big game on Tuesday. He gave to the team, and created many a chance for both others and himself. He could have been on the score sheet, but hey, we all know he'll end his drought against the mancs! He did, however, score what in my eyes is a perfectly good goal, when he repeated the move he performed at Blackburn away last season; flicking the ball after the keeper threw it up to kick. The official reason as to why his cheeky flick was ruled out was that “His foot was high.” We all know what we think of that!
Robin Van Persie - 6.5 - Another stage in his development. He gets better with every game and this was no exception. He helped out the midfield and didn't mind dropping deep to get the ball.
Subs:
Cesc Fabregas - 6 - Got straight into the action and gave us added protection in midfield late on.
Robert Pires – 6 - Made a few good passes including one which helped set up the goal, and found the pace of the game quite quickly.
Quincy – N/A Not enough time to rate him.