Arsenal v Wolves
Wolves goalkeeper Hennessey made a string of saves to deny Arsenal
Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey inspired Wolves to a draw at Arsenal, as the visitors held on after playing the last 15 minutes with 10 men.
Gervinho gave the Gunners the lead when he was put clear by Yossi Benayoun.
But Wolves levelled before the break, Steven Fletcher diverting home a shot from Stephen Hunt.
Arsenal dominated but, even after Nenad Milijas was harshly sent off for a tackle on Mikel Arteta, they were denied by Hennessey's fine saves.
Did you know?
- Today's Arsenal team was their oldest this season in the Premier League at 26 years and 338 days.
- Arsenal haven't lost on this day since 1966
- It's now 14 top-flight matches since Wolves beat Arsenal
The Wales international was at his best to regularly deny Gunners skipper Robin van Persie as Wolves earned their first away point since August.
Hennessey was the central figure of a gutsy defensive performance and at times he seemed to be almost single-handedly earning his relegation-threatened side a vital draw.
But the result meant Arsene Wenger's team missed the chance to move into the Premier League's top four.
Hennessey's display might have been excellent but after conceding early at the Emirates he is now without a clean sheet in his last 15 matches.
The excellent Benayoun, who was making his first Premier League start for Arsenal, split open the Wolves defence with an inch-perfect pass for Gervinho.
The Ivory Coast international appeared anything but convincing with the ball at his feet before rounding and firing home into an empty net.
Wenger frustrated by Wolves draw
Van Persie had chances to increase the lead as he looked to equal Alan Shearer's record of 36 Premier League goals in a calendar year, firstly touching an effort just wide of the post before hitting a low shot that Hennessey did well to tip round the post.
Wolves were looking nervous at the back and almost gifted the home side a second goal when Karl Henry was dispossessed just outside his own area by Mikel Arteta, only for the defence to rally and block the shot.
Despite the home side dominating possession, Wolves always posed a threat in attack and were back level just before the break.
A corner from the left was half cleared to Hunt on the edge of the box and his deflected effort was diverted past Wojciech Szczesny by the head of Fletcher.
Did you know?
- Today's point was the first Wolves have recorded on the road since August.
- The goal by Steven Fletcher was Wolves' first at Arsenal for 27 years.
- Mick McCarthy's side have lost on their previous six visits to London.
Arsenal continued their domination throughout the second half and looked increasingly in control but could not find a way past the stubborn Hennessey.
Van Persie, who was involved in all the Gunners' good play, bought an excellent save out of the keeper with a free-kick that was dipping under the crossbar before Thomas Vermaelen's downward header forced Hennessey to block with his feet.
Tomas Rosicky should have done better when the home side were gifted another chance following some indecision in the Wolves defence, but could only blaze his effort wide.
Things got even tougher for McCarthy's side when Milijas was sent off for a foul on Arteta on the edge of the box.
Justice prevailed - McCarthy
It appeared a harsh decision against the midfielder, who won the ball before taking down the Spaniard with his follow through, but referee Stuart Attwell was quick to produce the red card.
The home side continued to press and Hennessey again thwarted Van Persie, first from a free-kick before he made another block at his near post.
There was still time for Vermaelen to have a volley saved by Hennessey, but Wolves, thanks mainly to the efforts of their goalkeeper, held on.
Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (6)
Arsenal
- 13 Szczesny
- 04 Mertesacker
- 05 Vermaelen Booked
- 06 Koscielny
- 20 Djourou (Chamakh - 85' )
- 07 Rosicky
- 08 Arteta
- 17 Song Booked (Ramsey - 71' )
- 30 Benayoun (Arshavin - 63' )
- 10 Van Persie
- 27 Gervinho
Substitutes
- 01 Almunia
- 49 Miquel
- 15 Oxlade-Chamberlain
- 16 Ramsey
- 23 Arshavin
- 39 Coquelin
- 29 Chamakh
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- 01 Hennessey Booked
- 11 Ward
- 14 Johnson Booked
- 16 Berra
- 23 Zubar (Stearman - 50' )
- 08 Henry
- 12 Hunt (Doyle - 86' )
- 17 Jarvis
- 20 Milijas Dismissed
- 37 Forde (Guedioura - 71' Booked )
- 10 Fletcher
Substitutes
- 31 De Vries
- 03 Elokobi
- 05 Stearman
- 19 Hammill
- 34 Guedioura
- 09 Ebanks-Blake
- 29 Doyle
Live Text Commentary
Full Time The match has reached full-time.
90:00 +4:36Aaron Ramsey crosses the ball, Header by Robin van Persie from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.
90:00 +4:27Robin van Persie crosses the ball, Kevin Doyle manages to make a clearance.
90:00 +4:20Centre by Robin van Persie, Roger Johnson manages to make a clearance.
90:00 +3:33Kevin Doyle concedes a free kick for a foul on Yao Gervinho. Mikel Arteta delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right wing, Christophe Berra makes a clearance.
90:00 +2:26Aaron Ramsey sends in a cross, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Robin van Persie misses to the left of the goal.
90:00 +1:16 BookingBooking Wayne Hennessey receives a caution.
89:39The ball is swung over by Andrey Arshavin, clearance by Stephen Ward.
89:26Tomas Rosicky takes a short corner.
89:13Thomas Vermaelen takes a shot. Wayne Hennessey makes a save.
86:48Corner taken by Mikel Arteta, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Marouane Chamakh goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
86:34The ball is sent over by Laurent Koscielny, save made by Wayne Hennessey.
84:20 SubstitutionSubstitution Stephen Hunt goes off and Kevin Doyle comes on.
84:20 SubstitutionSubstitution Johan Djourou leaves the field to be replaced by Marouane Chamakh.
84:11The ball is crossed by Aaron Ramsey, Roger Johnson manages to make a clearance.
82:51Robin van Persie takes a shot. Wayne Hennessey makes a save.
81:36Stephen Hunt concedes a free kick for a foul on Johan Djourou. Shot comes in from Robin van Persie from the free kick, save by Wayne Hennessey.
81:26The ball is delivered by Thomas Vermaelen, Stephen Hunt manages to make a clearance.
80:38A cross is delivered by Yao Gervinho, clearance by Roger Johnson.
79:28Andrey Arshavin produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target.
Short corner worked by Mikel Arteta.
77:49Robin van Persie takes a shot.
77:35Andrey Arshavin takes a shot. Blocked by Christophe Berra.
77:06Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Mikel Arteta from the left by-line, Karl Henry makes a clearance.
76:53Aaron Ramsey takes a shot. Richard Stearman gets a block in.
76:24Inswinging corner taken by Mikel Arteta, Richard Stearman makes a clearance.
74:47Mikel Arteta shoots direct from the free kick, Steven Fletcher gets a block in.
74:47 DismissalDismissal The referee shows Nenad Milijas a red card.
74:23Foul by Nenad Milijas on Mikel Arteta, free kick awarded.
74:12The ball is swung over by Aaron Ramsey.
72:55Free kick taken by Mikel Arteta.
72:55 BookingBooking Booking for Adlene Guedioura.
72:47Per Mertesacker fouled by Adlene Guedioura, the ref awards a free kick.
72:11Tomas Rosicky produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes wide left of the goal.
69:50 SubstitutionSubstitution Anthony Forde goes off and Adlene Guedioura comes on.
69:50 SubstitutionSubstitution Aaron Ramsey replaces Alex Song.
68:23Free kick crossed by Nenad Milijas.
68:23 BookingBooking Alex Song is given a yellow card.
68:04Alex Song challenges Steven Fletcher unfairly and gives away a free kick.
66:46Corner taken right-footed by Mikel Arteta, clearance by Roger Johnson.
66:12The ball is sent over by Tomas Rosicky, Per Mertesacker takes a shot. Save by Wayne Hennessey. Robin van Persie takes a shot. Christophe Berra gets a block in.
65:41Corner taken by Robin van Persie from the right by-line, clearance by Christophe Berra.
64:25Free kick awarded for a foul by Karl Henry on Yao Gervinho. Robin van Persie has an effort direct from the free kick, Wayne Hennessey makes a save.
62:35 SubstitutionSubstitution Andrey Arshavin is brought on as a substitute for Yossi Benayoun.
61:16Effort on goal by Nenad Milijas from long range goes harmlessly over the target.
59:42Thomas Vermaelen is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.
58:34Yao Gervinho sends in a cross, Wayne Hennessey makes a save.
57:01Corner taken left-footed by Robin van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen takes a shot. Wayne Hennessey makes a save.
56:56 BookingBooking Thomas Vermaelen goes into the referee's book.
56:43Laurent Koscielny delivers the ball, blocked by Richard Stearman.
56:09A cross is delivered by Yao Gervinho.
52:08Robin van Persie is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Wayne Hennessey takes the indirect free kick.
51:34Mikel Arteta takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Steven Fletcher.
51:05The ball is crossed by Johan Djourou, clearance by Christophe Berra.
49:47 SubstitutionSubstitution Richard Stearman on for Ronald Zubar.
47:34The official flags Yao Gervinho offside. Free kick taken by Wayne Hennessey.
45:59Ronald Zubar challenges Yao Gervinho unfairly and gives away a free kick. Thomas Vermaelen restarts play with the free kick.
45:01The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.
45:00 +2:08 Half timeHalf Time The first half comes to an end.
45:00 +2:00A cross is delivered by Robin van Persie.
45:00 +1:35Anthony Forde takes a shot. Laurent Koscielny gets a block in.
45:00 +1:02Stephen Ward produces a cross.
43:17The ball is delivered by Matthew Jarvis.
42:16Free kick awarded for a foul by Nenad Milijas on Yossi Benayoun. Per Mertesacker takes the free kick.
41:25Stephen Ward concedes a free kick for a foul on Yossi Benayoun. Johan Djourou restarts play with the free kick.
39:46Nenad Milijas concedes a free kick for a foul on Tomas Rosicky. Free kick taken by Mikel Arteta.
39:30Tomas Rosicky takes a shot. Wayne Hennessey makes a save.
37:30Stephen Hunt takes a shot. Thomas Vermaelen gets a block in.
37:24Stephen Hunt provided the assist for the goal.
37:24 Goal scoredGoal! - Steven Fletcher - Arsenal 1 - 1 Wolves Steven Fletcher finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Arsenal 1-1 Wolverhampton.
37:14Corner from the left by-line taken by Nenad Milijas, clearance by Johan Djourou.
33:54Per Mertesacker fouled by Stephen Hunt, the ref awards a free kick. Per Mertesacker takes the free kick.
31:12Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Mikel Arteta, Wayne Hennessey makes a save.
31:12 BookingBooking Roger Johnson is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
31:05Free kick awarded for a foul by Roger Johnson on Robin van Persie.
30:37The referee blows for offside. Karl Henry restarts play with the free kick.
29:57Inswinging corner taken by Mikel Arteta from the left by-line, clearance made by Wayne Hennessey.
29:38Robin van Persie takes a shot. Save made by Wayne Hennessey.
28:44Mikel Arteta takes a shot. Blocked by Roger Johnson.
25:07Effort on goal by Stephen Hunt from just inside the area clears the crossbar.
22:44Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Robin van Persie, clearance by Stephen Hunt.
22:35A cross is delivered by Robin van Persie, Stephen Ward makes a clearance.
20:48The assistant referee signals for offside against Steven Fletcher. Indirect free kick taken by Laurent Koscielny.
19:17Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Mikel Arteta, Stephen Ward manages to make a clearance.
18:13The assistant referee signals for offside against Nenad Milijas. Free kick taken by Wojciech Szczesny.
17:47Corner from the left by-line taken by Nenad Milijas, clearance made by Laurent Koscielny.
17:10The ball is sent over by Robin van Persie, Ronald Zubar manages to make a clearance.
16:09Outswinging corner taken by Nenad Milijas from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Johan Djourou.
15:53The ball is sent over by Ronald Zubar, clearance by Laurent Koscielny.
15:22Robin van Persie challenges Christophe Berra unfairly and gives away a free kick. Karl Henry restarts play with the free kick.
14:37Close range shot by Robin van Persie misses to the left of the goal.
13:44Thomas Vermaelen takes a shot. Blocked by Roger Johnson.
7:33The assist for the goal came from Yossi Benayoun.
7:33 Goal scoredGoal! - Yao Gervinho - Arsenal 1 - 0 Wolves Yao Gervinho scores a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Arsenal 1-0 Wolverhampton.
7:18The ball is swung over by Matthew Jarvis, clearance made by Per Mertesacker.
6:18Foul by Tomas Rosicky on Stephen Hunt, free kick awarded. Wayne Hennessey restarts play with the free kick.
4:56Matthew Jarvis takes a shot. Blocked by Per Mertesacker.
2:19Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Yossi Benayoun by Matthew Jarvis. Johan Djourou takes the free kick.
0:49Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Mikel Arteta, clearance made by Ronald Zubar.
0:00The game kicks-off.
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