Arsenal 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers | Premier League match report

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<div class="track"><img alt="" src="http://hits.guardian.co.uk/b/ss/guardiangu-feeds/1/H.22.2/63529?ns=guardian&pageName=Arsenal+2-0+Wolverhampton+Wanderers+%7C+Premier+League+match+report%3AArticle%3A1518908&ch=Football&c3=Obs&c4=Premier+League+%28Football%29%2CArsenal+FC+%28Football%29%2CWolverhampton+Wanderers+%28Football%29%2CFootball%2CSport&c5=Premier+League&c6=Paul+Doyle&c7=11-Feb-12&c8=1518908&c9=Article&c10=Match+report&c11=Football&c13=&c25=&c30=content&h2=GU%2FFootball%2FPremier+League" width="1" height="1" /></div><p>A goal in each half from Robin Van Persie enabled Arsenal to sustain their pursuit of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table as Arsène Wenger's team closed the gap on the leaders back to four points.</p><p>Wolves began with the composure of a team whose record against the top teams this season has been perversely positive and, with Jamie O'Hara and Nenad Milijas probing with precision, the signs were that this was going to be a close contest. Yet the reason Wolves are in the relegation zone is that for all their bright play this season they have been tainted by haplessness, sudden outbreaks of ineptitude sabotaging otherwise accomplished performances. It was no surprise, then, to see George Elokobi standing off Cesc Fabregas in the 14th minute, almost advising the Spaniard to take his time and pick out the cross of his choice. Fabregas duly clipped the ball towards the penalty spot, where Richard Stearman had lost track of Van Persie. The striker made the most of the space granted to him, volleying past Wayne Hennessy and into the net.</p><p>Having sunk their teeth into Wolves, Arsenal proceeded to tear them to shreds. Wilshere made the next incision, serving Andrei Arshavin with a superb long pass from deep. The Russian jinked past Ronald Zubar and cut the ball back for Theo Walcott, whose shot from eight yards was clawed away by Hennessey. Fabregas followed up and fired low towards the corner but Stearman, covering his goalkeeper, cleared off the line.</p><p>Two minutes later Arsenal cut through again, the wonderful Wilshere this time outfoxing the Wolves' defence with a sweet dink towards Fabregas. Hennessy scampered off his line to prevent the midfielder from applying a fatal touch.</p><p>Hennessy denied Fabregas again in the 37th minute and had to produce two more fine saves from Van Persie before the break to keep the deficit to a single goal.</p><p>If Wilshere was showing the poise and vision that has convinced Fabio Capello that he will be the springboard of England's midfield for years to come, Walcott displayed the flaws that have lead many to question whether, despite his obvious qualities, he will ever be a truly top-class player. Where Wilshere instinctively takes and adroitly executes the right decision almost every time, finesse or sound judgement often eludes Walcott. The contrast was highlighted in the 46th minute, when Wilshere waltzed through the heart of Wolves defence before teeing up Walcott for an almost certain goal. Somehow the winger slashed wide from eight yards. But of course, though Wilshere seems more advanced despite being younger, it is premature to declare that Walcott's fallibility is permanent: he is still only 21 and has this season proved that he is progressing. He underlined that point in the 58th minute when, after being released by Fabregas, he created Arsenal's second goal with a perfect square ball to Van Persie. The Dutchman finished emphatically, rifling past Hennessey from the edge of the box.</p><p>At no point did Arsenal look like collapsing as against Newcastle last week, partially because Johan Djourou, who had been forced off with injury at St James' Park, remained immaculate throughout here, and partially because, without going gung-ho, Arsenal mostly kept Wolves on the back foot. Walcott was given the best opportunity to make the victory more emphatic but miscontrolled when put through by Fabregas before recovering to curl a shot wide from an acute angle. Two minutes from time Walcott combined with Marouane Chamakh to rip Wolves apart anew but again he erred at the finish, shooting straight at Hennessey.</p><p>At least Wenger must have been pleased that Arsenal kept the pressure on their visitors right until the end. Which is what they seem intent on doing to Manchester United in the title race.</p><div class="related" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><ul><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/premierleague">Premier League</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/arsenal">Arsenal</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/wolves">Wolverhampton Wanderers</a></li></ul></div><div class="author"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/pauldoyle">Paul Doyle</a></div><br/><div class="terms"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk">guardian.co.uk</a> &copy; Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our <a href="http://users.guardian.co.uk/help/article/0,,933909,00.html">Terms & Conditions</a> | <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/help/feeds">More Feeds</a></div><p style="clear:both" />
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