English Premier League: Arsenal Player Ratings Vs Wolves:2-0:

Arsenal

Wolverhampton W.

Arsenal secured their 16th win of the EPL season and continued to stalk Manchester United atop the Premier League table after a dominant 2-0 victory over the last place Wolves.

After the saga and drama of last week, where the Gunners squandered a 4-0 lead to draw 4-4 in the final 22 minutes, the North London giants were eager to reinstate their presence in England.

Wenger had stated that this encounter was more important than the upcoming mid-week UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona and the Frenchman kept his promise, naming an imposing, strong lineup.

From the start, Arsene Wenger's men dominated. The news that Wayne Rooney's superb volley had given United a 2-1 win over rivals Manchester City ensured the Gunners could afford nothing short of a win.

However, it took just 16 minutes for Robin van Persie to find the back of the net for the opener. Captain Cesc Fabregas equipped van Persie with an inch-perfect lob 12 yards out from the goal and the Dutchman did not hesitate in acrobatically vollying the ball into the bottom corner past an outstretched Wayne Hennessey.

The Dutchman has been immensely prolific since returning from injury in December, brandishing his right foot as his chocolate leg, due to its frailty compared to his devastating left, however there was nothing remotely feeble about that effort.

The goal came as a relief after Cesc Fabregas appeared to have scored in the opening minutes only for referee Chris Foy to recall the play after Jack Wilshere had been fouled.

The Gunners continued to boast possession and chances—moments after van Persie's strike, Andrei Arshavin was gifted a superb opportunity to add salt to Wolverhampton's wounds.

However the Russian dynamo squandered the chance, side-footing wide from a corner after van Persie had played in a marauding effort.

Arsenal were running riot and their inability to capitalize on chances was beginning to burden the game. Andrei Arshavin found Theo Walcott in the box and the Englishman's shot was well-saved by Wayne Hennessey. The shot-stoppers block then fell to Fabregas, whose effort looked to have found the net, only for Richard Stearman to provide a sturdy wall.

As the halftime break beckoned, Arsenal continued to dominate in what was becoming a very evident one-sided affair. Robin van Persie and Arshavin both had chances, only for Hennessey to continue his good fortune.

It was much of the same story after the restart—within seconds Jack Wilshere carved through the Wolves' back line elegantly and effortlessly before passing to Walcott who found himself with a gaping net. However, the Englishman's raw effort somehow went wide.

Deja vu was beginning to surface for the Arsenal faithful, but fortunately in the 56th minute Arsenal found their insurance. Fabregas played through Walcott, who sprinted towards the goal before finding van Persie, who then went one-on-one with Hennessey before converting Arsenal's second.

The goal was enough to give Arsenal a deserved victory despite critics and fans alike wondering how the Gunners didn't score more.

Player Ratings

Wojciech Szczensy:6.5: A quiet afternoon for the Polish shot-stopper, who prevailed when called upon.

Bacary Sagna:6.5: The Frenchman was sound defensively, rarely troubled down the right. Contributed in attack solidly, but too often was guilty of poor crossing.

Johan Djourou:7: The imposing Swiss enjoyed a strong performance in which Djourou dominated in the air, providing a great presence at the back.

Laurent Koscienly:7: The Frenchman continued his strong relationship with Djourou alongside making some impressive tackles and clearances. The duo will have their hands full against the might of Barcelona

Gael Clichy:7: The French international was barely troubled down the left, which enabled Clichy to provide an extra force in attack. Linked up well with the likes of Arshavin and Wilshere.

Alexandre Song:8: The Cameroon midfielder was strong and composed in front of the back four and made a number of surging tackles. Song was also strong in attack, providing numerous inch-perfect passes.

Jack Wilshere:8.5: The teenager was rampant with devastating runs and incisive passes. Orchestrated a number of moves and showed maturity beyond his years. Deserved a goal.

Cesc Fabregas:8: The captain was a force once again, two perfect passes both led to goals and the Spaniard was always involved. Outshined by Wilshere, however.

Theo Walcott:7: The speedy Englishman was guilty of missing a gift of a chance, but was always a devastating threat down the right and showed unselfishness and vision to set up van Persie for the second.

Andrei Arshavin:7.5: The Russian was unfortunate not to boast a goal to his name, but continued to be a force down the left. Showed an almost sixth-sense understanding with Fabregas and Wilshere and it's safe to admit that Arshavin is returning to form.

Robin van Persie:8: The Dutchman enjoyed a superb afternoon in which he took his EPL tally to 10 for the season. A beautiful shot for the first goal and quite frankly, he should have had more.

Substitutes

Marouane Chamakh:N/A

Nicklas Bendtner:N/A:

Denilson:N/A: