Bukayo Saka has continued his rise to stardom with another assured performance in once again another playing position for Arsenal Football Club away at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC as his beautiful curler of a left-footed volley broke the deadlock at The Molineux, Wolves’ home stadium, towards the end of the first half in an encounter that showed the determination of both sides to keep it tight at the back. The academy graduate who only recently signed a long-term extension to his contract to tie his future with the Gunners, exquisitely curled a Kieran Tierney cross beyond a stretching Patricio in the Wolves goal. Alexander Lacazette added a second just after three minutes of coming on as a substitute as the game approached its injury time, to put the Champions League hopes of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC in jeopardy as the away team ran out with a two-nil win in the English Premier League match.

The goals by the Gunners could have been more but thanks to the reflexes of the Wolves goalkeeper to tip a goalbound Edward Nketiah sharp shot onto his left side pole in the first half, and late substitute Joseph Willock saw another goalbound shot cleared off the goalline by a Wolves player shortly after he assisted Alexander Lacazette with the second and eventual final goal of the match.

Wolves played with a lot of width and purpose but could not find many clearcut chances in the game. One of the few they had fell to their skilful speedster Adama Traore whose chip over on rushing Emiliano Martinez in the Arsenal goal went an inch over the bar.

Nevertheless, the defence of the home side did well to keep out the rampaging Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and kept a tireless Nketiah busy throughout much of the game.

Bukayo Saka was played in the right wing today in a tactical reshuffle by the manager Mikel Arteta to curtail the threats from fast and skilful Traore and guile of Raul Jimenez. Both players were kept to limited chances by a combination of Saka and new signing Cedric Soares, and Tierney respectively.

The win has taken the Gunners to 7th position on the Premier League table, three points behind Wolves who are now at 6th and hoping for another season of European qualification. Arsenal on their part will wish to sustain the momentum to stand any chance of going above Wolves and securing European qualification. They are also in the semifinals of the English FA Cup tournament.

In a related development, Arsenal yesterday announced that their teenage Brazilian sensation, Gabriel Martinelli, has signed a long term contract with them. This is an indication of their desire to secure the players who promise a lot for the foreseeable future. We had reported that Bukayo Saka had signed a long term contract with the North London club. Please click this link to read the story.

This is Saka’s first Premier League goal. Although he has scored several goals in the Europa League and domestic Cup tournaments, he has been more of a provider, having 11 assists in all competitions to his name already this season.