Arsenal miss chance to go fourth after draw with Wolves

Arsenal dropped two points and missed the chance to overtake Chelsea and move into the top four on Tuesday as they drew 1-1 with Wolves. Gervinho's goal early on was cancelled out by Fletcher's fortuatous equaliser before half time. It was a game of missed chances for the Gunners as they looked to be comfortable for the majority of the game but failed to take their goal scoring opportunities. Arsene Wenger made three changes to the side that beat Aston Villa as Djourou came back from injury in place of Coquelin whilst Rosicky came in for the rested Aaron Ramsey. Walcott was out of the game due to illness so Benayoun took his place.

Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was on top form to deny Arsenal from getting 3 points

The first real chance of the game was the opening goal in the match. Arsenal broke from inside their own half before Benayoun found Gervinho who rounded the goalkeeper and fired the ball home.

Arsenal then had a great chance to double their lead as Gervinho ran at the defence before finding Van Persie who put the ball wide of the target.

The Arsenal captain then worked another chance as he got into the penalty area before seeing his near post shot saved by Hennessey.

Seven minutes before the break Wolves equalised. A corner came out to Hunt on the edge of the box who struck a shot which was deflected into the path of Fletcher who headed the ball into the back of the net from 6 yards out.

Arsenal responded well as Arteta found Rosicky who spun and then fired a shot from distance which Hennessey managed to keep out.

The score at half time was 1-1.

Robin Van Persie then got Hennessey to pull off a brilliant save. The Dutchman unleashed a free kick from the left which looked to be curling in but for the goalkeeper who tipped the ball over the bar.

The Gunners were desperately trying to find a goal which would put them into the lead as first Rosicky's cross found Mertesacker's head which was once again kept out brilliantly by Hennessey. The ball eventually came out to Van Persie but his took a slight deflection and went wide.

Rosicky then got a chance as Ramsey did well to intercept the defender before playing the ball back to Rosicky on the edge of the area who curled the ball wide of the goal.

Wolves were then sent down to 10 men as Milijas lost control of the ball and then brought down Arteta on the edge of the box which the referee deemed to be a sending off offence.

Arsenal were looking to take advantage of playing against 10 men and they almost did as Arshavin played a one-two with Van Persie before hitting a looping shot which just went wide.

Hennessey was tested again by a Van Persie freekick as he struck the ball from the right which was parmed away by the Welsh goalkeeper.

The Wolves keeper was proving to be unbeatable as he then kept out another Van Persie attempt. This time it was kept out with his foot as the Gunners captain hit the ball from a tight angle.

Hennessey had one more vital save to make as Vermaelen got into the penalty area but his effort was saved by the chest of the goalkeeper.

The final score finished Arsenal 1-1 Wolves.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou(85), Koscielny, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Song(71), Arteta, Rosicky, Benayoun(64), Gervinho, Van Persie.
Subs: Almunia, Miquel, Coquelin, Ramsey(71), Arshavin(64), Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chamakh(85).

Wolves: Hennessey, Zubar(51), Berra, Johnson, Ward, Forde(71), Henry, Milijas, Hunt(85), Jarvis, Fletcher.
Subs: De Vries, Elokobi, Stearman(51), Guedioura(71), Hammill, Ebanks-Blake, Doyle(85).

My man of the match: Tomas Rosicky

Referee: Stuart Attwell
Attendance: 59,686