Arsenal 1 Wolves 1
Tuesday 27th December 2011, 5:00PM GMT.
Ten-man Wolves pulled off a defensive masterclass to earn a point to deny Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey repeated his man of the match display at the Gunners last season to foil Arsene Wenger’s side and hotshot Robin Van Persie.
Instead it was Wolves’ own striker in form, Steven Fletcher, who was on target with a 38th minute header to cancel out Gervinho’s eighth-minute opener.
Hennessey made four superb saves from Van Persie alone, while also blocking from Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker, with all but one of the Wales international’s stops coming in the last half hour.
Wolves had to do it the hard way too, coping for the last 15 minutes plus over six minutes of time added on by referee Stuart Attwell without midfielder Nenad Milijas.
The Serbia international received a harshly-awarded straight red card for a tackle on Mikel Arteta, which looks like it’s certainly worth an appeal.
It was the second time in three visits to the Emirates that Wolves have had a man sent off after Karl Henry’s dismissal in 2009-10.
This time, Wolves held on without their full complement to claim a much-needed point to end a run of six straight away defeats, and 12 straight losses to Arsenal going back to 1982.
The big team news from Wolves was the full debut of Anthony Forde.
The 18-year-old Dubliner replaced Sylvan Ebanks-Blake as boss Mick McCarthy switched to a 4-4-1-1 formation with Stephen Hunt in a floating role supporting lone striker Fletcher.
Wolves predictably came under pressure early on, but they started and finished the first half well.
And once they drew level, they caused Arsenal problems.
Matt Jarvis took advantage of the time and space he was afforded on the left to cut inside and try his luck, only for Per Mertesacker to block his angled shot.
And it was after another Wolves attack led by Jarvis that Arsenal broke to take an eighth minute lead.
Gervinho was the scorer, taking his time to pick his spot after rounding keeper Wayne Hennessey after Yossi Benayoun’s through pass had left him clean through.
Benayoun was the architect for Arsenal’s next attack, threading red-hot Robin Van Persie through, but the Dutchman, who was left in the clear by Roger Johnson’s slip, could only screw an angled effort comfortably wide with his weaker right foot with only Hennessey to beat.
Arsenal were forcing heavy pressure on the black-shirted visitors and they needed Stephen Ward to come to the rescue when the Irishman headed over his own bar from Van Persie’s cross-cum-shot.
Then it was Johnson’s turn to dig his team out with a fine block on Mikel Arteta’s shot after Karl Henry gave away the ball 20 yards out on the half hour.
Seconds later Hennessey made his only serious save of the first half when he tipped wide Van Persie’s shot at his near post after the striker rounded Johnson on the edge of the area.
The Wolves captain earned a 32nd-minute booking for tripping the Gunners marksman in a similar position, but thankfully for Wolves, they were spared more punishment when Arteta could only curl a weak free kick straight at Hennessey.
Out of the blue, Wolves forced an equaliser in the 38th minute.
Fletcher was the scorer, brilliantly heading the rebound from Stephen Hunt’s blocked shot past keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who was at full stretch.
Fletcher’s seventh goal of the season sparked a period of attacking from Wolves and they finished the half strongly.
There was a problem for the visitors soon after the restart however after Ronald Zubar, who had earlier been caught in the chest by the flailing boot of Thomas Vermaelen, was injured again, this time in a touchline challenge with Gervinho, and soon limped off to be replaced by Richard Stearman on 50 minutes.
It was Stearman’s first game since breaking his wrist at Everton on November 19, and he wore a small cast on his lower arm.
And the former Leicester man and his team-mates were forced into a huge defensive rearguard as Arsenal forced heavy pressure as the second period wore on.
Hennessey made a fine tip-over to deny Van Persie’s curling free kick in the 66th minute, then blocked Mertesacker’s point-blank header on the line.
Wolves survived a penalty appeal when Laurent Koscielny’s cross struck the hands of Stephen Ward.
And it seemed there would be no end to the relentless Arsenal pressure as Tomas Rosicky curled an effort inches wide after Ward was caught dallying in the box.
Wolves’ task was made even harder when Milijas was sent off for an innocuous challenge on Arteta as he stretched for a ball following a heavy first touch.
It seemed an extremely harsh decision from Attwell.
In a frantic last 10 minutes, substitute Andrey Arshavin poked inches wide of the far post and Van Persie had Hennessey diving to his right with another free kick after Johan Djourou went down.
Van Persie hadn’t finished however and from an acute angle, unleashed a tremendous shot that Hennessey blocked with his right foot going the wrong way.
At the end of normal time, Hennessey was in action again, bravely throwing himself in front of Thomas Vermaelen’s fierce, angled drive at the far post.
But they managed to hold on for a point and will travel to the Reebok Stadium on New Year’s Eve in confident mood aiming to stretch their unbeaten run to three games after the 2-2 draw against Norwich.
UK Sport
Latest Blog — A week is a long time in football
This time last week we were staring down the barrel, third from bottom with a worse record than at the same stage last year, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.
Saddlers Blog
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Excellent result way at Arsenal. I feel some of the decisions were a bit harsh, and its unfortunate we will be without Milijas for 3 games, in another game, it could have been deemed a decent challenge. Bolton is the game that matters, and just because they are stuggling like ourselves, we would be very foolish to even contemplate the match being easy. We desperately need a win, so lets hope Mick and the boys can start off the new year the way we intend to go on.
Report abuse
Very harsh decision to red card Milijas, especially after the way song scythed Jarvis down & only got a yellow, impressed by the guts & determination today, lets do the same at notlob soon
Report abuse
Great point in the face of a strong home side and a referee who was completely out of his depth. Play like that at Bolton, plus cut out the occasional sloppy pass, and we will win.
Report abuse
spirited performance thats 2 points from the last 9, 2 points from 12 if you count Man Utd or 10 points from the last 48 possible
dont get excited lets see what happens on saturday against Bolton and then chelsea
Report abuse
well done lads,,,1st time this season without seeing the game but by all accounts played quite well,,,as we have done,,,stuff bolton and time to kick on
Report abuse
If that was a straight red, then my name isn`t what it really is. Well done lads, please don`t blow it at Bolton. And thank you Wayne.
Report abuse
i think that today the referee wore red spectacles. it’s a shame . This is how a ref can destroy the game.
Report abuse
A great defensive display- Listenned on radio by god there is some biass by these London orientated commentrys KEEP THE FAITH A GOOD RESULT__ LETS HAVE NO NUMTY POST
- THE LADS DID WELL- Crazey Dave
Report abuse
Brilliant show! Well done all the players and the management team! So good to see a youngster blooded and do so well! The future’s bright! Happy New Year to all at the Club and fans.
Report abuse
Great result but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE sort out this rubbish defence. Henry, Johnson and Zubar were ALL over the place for their goal. Will Mick & Clipboard also tell players in no uncertain terms that waving an arm in the air DOES NOT STOP PLAY, NOR PREVENT Goals being scored!!
Play to the whistle was always the rule when I played football, waving hopefully is the mark of a player who is too LAZY to fight to the last.
Report abuse
well done my babbies
how many numpties since norwich have predicted/wanted/bet on arsenal to thrash wwfc??????.
well to be brutally honest i could’nt care less, thats now 16 points from 18 games,
we still need morgan to invest in new players capable of premier football, maybe a new manager, but in the mean time, this squad of championsip players can still finish 15th. utw
Report abuse
Hennessey and the 10 others!!!!
MOTM, today followed closely by Johnson
Strange team selection by McCarthy, giving him the benefit of the doubt (doesn’t know what he is doing) that we have games we are hoping to win so he is keeping Hammill and SEB for those, then it came off.
Tactics from the first ball kicking back to the keeper to hoof up the field and give the ball away, brilliant.
Fozzy Bear, your analysis of Henry today will be interesting, if you were watching the correct team today.
Mine, very poor nearly cost us at least three goals, not worth his place.
Good point and good effort from the team, however the Ref was very poor and lost the game in my opinion, Millijas decision was wrong.
Report abuse
Fair play to the lads great point karl henry is so annoying get him out of the team gave the ball away time and time again dont cock up a hard earned point mick by losing to bolton
Report abuse
No.4 Dave O…….please make sure that someone locks away all the sharp objects in your house. For heavens sake man, we haven’t got a point against Arsenal in 17 games !! Let’s just take the point and be happy. What has happened has happened in previous games and we can’t do anything about it. Let’s move on to the Bolton game and hope for at least a point. As long as we do as well as or better than the 4 teams currently below us we’re ok. Not ideal but right now I’d settle for that
Report abuse
Well how did we get away with that….especially with that clown Atwell reffing?
Point well deserved and I, like every Wolves supporter, will back any team that gives 100%.
Now for more important things, cus that was a bonus, against Bolton we need the same endeavor.
Be positive and go for them and work as bloody hard as you did today.
Report abuse
Yet again another ‘DREADFUL PERFORMANCE’ from another ‘POOR REFEREE’ STUART ATWELL? But another ‘TOP PERFORMANCE’ from Wolves p.o.t.y. WAYNE HENNESSEY. At least 4 top class saves,no wonder he was mobbed by his team mates at the final whistle. How many top clubs are going to be after him,and Fletcher in January,if not in July/August? I can’t praised this lad enough,he’s had his critics in the past,but nobody can point the finger at him anymore, he’s even coming out and taking crosses,something even i wasn’t happy about in his game,but he’s grown in confidence in his all round game,which will make him WOLVES No1 for many years to come HOPEFULLY. And yet another goal by our best GOALSCORER Steven Fletcher. And good performances by Johnson/Berra. And id like to say well done to young Forde,what a good game he seemed to have on his full-debut. But we didnt just play against 11 players, we played against 1 referee, and 1 manager AW, so we played 13 v 10 players for 20mins and 6mins xtra time by AW watch? GREAT PERFORMANCE by ALL the LADS. We must now try and take this performance into the rest of the season. UTW:
Report abuse
Dave O, I bet Christmas was depressing in your house on your own, pulling a cracker with yourself.
We took a point at Arsenal, get behind the lads for proving everybody in the country wrong!
Report abuse
Well done today despite some biased refereeing.No way was that aending off,ever.
These ‘top’ sides aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
Boing Boing
Report abuse
Listened to the radio brilliant lads we can ask no more than you give it your all and you did that, If there had been a half reasonable ref we might even have won it should have been them down to 10 not us Do the job Mick get the appeal in Well Done All and Fans !!!!
Report abuse
A great backs to the wall performance and man of the match display by Hennessey. Now can we follow that up with a positive performance against Bolton.
Now our lack of mid-fielders may start to tell. Milijas was unlucky as his foot was on the ground. With him and O’Hara out he’ll play Edwardes in the middle with Henry. Given Bolton’s defensive record, we should play two upfront. Guess we’ll see.
UTW
Report abuse
On my way back from the game. We only started competing when we were 1 nil down, and were harshly dealt with the Nenad dismissal. Johnston was very vocal and worked hard with Berra but its the central midfield where the biggest problem is. Over the last three games Millijas has been average and Henry, bar the second half against Norwich, has been awol. Where was he today! We were playing with 10 men before the sending off. Why has MM got this obsession of Henry being the first name on the teamsheet.
Report abuse
Just saw a small miracle take place. Marvelous display of courage and desire by the mighty Gold and Black. One of the best form teams in the Premiership were almost literally reduced to ripping their hair out as “never ever say never” Wolverhampton Wanderers, and a one Wayne’s World denied the Arsenal a post-Boxing Day victory! Brilliant management and player commitment throughout the entire taught affair! By the way, that was the real Rojo we paid £7 million for! A giant in defense! However, Wayno was another class. He now is central to our hopes of staying up. I pray he stays! Fantastic display today! Up the Mighty Wolves!
Report abuse
Thanks to Mrs Connor I had a new and much improved clipboard for chrimbo and today it prooved its worth. Even Jonno understood our masterplan.
Well done the lads we showed real guts today to take a fantastic point. Especially after another big club biased decision by a ref. How many times as this happened at Arsenal I remember Bob Hazell getting unjustly sent of there in the late Seventies and it gets no better.
Lets get behind um for the Bolton game which will mega tough but if the lads show the same fighting spirit we will get a real season defining win.
Come on me babbies
Report abuse
Great result!Arsenal are a great football team as well as being great divers and actors.A gig hole in the middle of the defence led to Arsenal taking the lead.Perhaps some fortune with the Wolves goal as well as their defending.Still fortune favours the Brave!Hennessey had a magnificant game and Roger Johnson had a good game as well as the defence in general.Perhaps there is hope yet?
Report abuse
Well done the lads and especially the defence & henners (not his biggest fan), fingers crossed for a good singing or two next week to help us make the leap to mid table safety, c’mon Morgan, we don’t want a show piece stadium in fizzy pop league
U t w
Report abuse
Let noone doubt the commitment of Mick and the players again. Quality and consistency are not always there, but running through brick walls for the shirt and us supporters is ALWAYS there. That is down to McCarthy. For God’s sake get behind him. All of us.
Report abuse
Well done boys.
Another brave team selection from Mick, throwing in Anthony Forde.
Well done Mick. Lets go and get three points from that bus stop near Wigan next.
I’ll be there Saturday for my nearest premier league trip of the season.
Report abuse
Just got back from the game…yes it was back to the walls mostly..yes Milijas if he was wearing an Arsenal shirt would have only got a yellow..but at the end of the day it was only Arsenal that had themselves to blame for not trouncing us…Van Persie is so keen to beat the record he couldn’t hit a barn door…
We had nothing going forward…nothing in midfield…all we did was proved our forwards/midfielders are decent defenders…and at least Johnson seems to have grown a pair!..Zubar needs a probe up his backside that lets him know when we are playing the offside trap.
I’ve completely peed my mates off and lost my voice with “how the hell did we get away with that?”
Play like that every week and pinch a goal we’ll be ok…but there may be a lot of Wolves fans having heart surgery.
Report abuse
Let’s keep it up and get a good result at the reebok!!!
………..UP THE WOLVES……………….
Report abuse
Great result! Miljas red was a big mistake by ref. When Miljas and O’Hara are out, who will cover them? Henry will be bottom of midfield but then i don’t know. May be 4-5-1 and Hunt and Guedioura above Henry..?
Report abuse
YES NO NUMPTY POSTS ;)
Report abuse
I managed to see the game today, Hennessey and Johnson were superb hopefully Roger will start to find some form again after this display, we have to keep hold of fletcher in january and they should appeal the red card
Report abuse
Only heard a little bit of the commentary could bear to listen to the end… so nervy!!
Well Done Wolves you done good!!! 10 men against Arsenal you would have put your house on them winning it! sounded like our defence was the main point to take from this game, hopefully this confidence will stay for the rest of our games.
I agree with #8! no numpties on here please lets enjoy this draw(feels like win) excellent point for us.
Looking forward to the Bolton game! hopefully get 3 points and help seal boltons and blackburns fate!
Good Job Wolves!! Well Done!!
In Mick We Trust!!!!!!!!!!
Report abuse
I did not ask you
I told you
STICK WITH MICK
GET A LIFE AND STICK WITH MICK
Report abuse
A really great performance and a well hard-earned point at a venue where Wolves had not had the best. Hennessy did superbly well but once again our defenders were to blame because inexpicably they did not despatch with the ball in their danger zone quickly enough. They thought they were excellent ball-players when in fact they are not. They are still learning their trade in a division where experience counts and clearly they have little of that. Which in a way explains why we are still a struggling club. The manager should once and for all recommend their defenders to hack the ball away in their danger area. Wolves could have conceded at least two goals and Milijas was a great culprit when instead of clearing the ball at the first time of asking wanted to play like Messi and then was forced to commit a foul when he lost the ball which resulted into his sending-off. Henry also lost a ball stupidly and as always is very smart at doing silly things. Zubar did the same mistake against Norwich first goal when was far from Gervinho to allow Arsenal to be in front. He seems certain to be ill at eased at right back. Definitely he is not a proper defender. Unfortunately, for Wolves it will take a lot of time to get rid of these so-called defenders and that’s why buying players is a great lottery. Mc Carthy has bought more than 35 players since his arrival but only a handful looks capable to play at this level. So lots of works are ahead before Wolves can claim a respectable place in the Premiership.
Report abuse
Battling display from the lads today.
Watched some of the game on the net. That’s when the screen was’nt constantly going on the blink.
A bit like the Alamo at times in the second half especially but we hung on for a valuable point.
Hennessy was immense and all the lads fought for their lives. Not helped by the Milijas sending off for what appeared a bad decision by a surprise, surprise big club biased referee.
A massive game at Bolton next, so let’s make it a decent return this Xmas and hopefully add a bit of quality in January.
Report abuse
A welcome bonus point after a tough, well defended performance. Hennessey was outstanding today ably supported by Ward and, to a lesser degree, by Johnson and Berra. Fletcher was quick witted to finish off for our goal and continues to be the key field player for us. Not sure why MM would choose to start Forde ahead of more experienced players but the lad did OK without doing anything special.
Jarvis had a few moments but I find his insistence when pushing up the left side to repeatedly cut inside onto his right foot infuriating- there were a couple of times where he should have cut to the outside to get the cross in but I guess he does not really trust his left foot despite telling the press he is working to improve this aspect of his game.
The sending off of Milijas was a complete joke whereas Song should have seen red for kicking two of our players. The quality of the officiating this season has been really poor in the Premiership – the League needs to sort it out as there is too much at stake for too many teams including ours!!!
Not sure what it all means In the big picture as we still do not appear to offer a real threat against anyone. We face Bolton next where we really have to obtain three points to widen the gap between us and the bottom three.
Report abuse
Visiting my family in New Zealand – waking up to this result has put a great big smile on my face! Well done the lads!! UTW
Report abuse
Heroic performance by all the lads today. To come from being an early goal down at Arsenal and keep them at bay with 10 men for 20mins is amazing – and thanks yet again to the magnificent Wayne!
Report abuse
Milijas – straight red from a tackle?! Doesn’t make sense – anyway, good work, NM! And Hennesey, Fletcher and Jarvis. One point away to Arse…l is something to be quite content with – well done, team! – keep up the good work, all eleven, and wrap it up against Bolton. Happy New Year from all supporters in the Northern regions of Europe – UTW!
Report abuse
Want to say well done for grinding out a point today, but it took some doing thats for sure!
Still only 9 points from 15 games since our 7 point start from 3 games, which is dreadful!
Report abuse
Turns out that’s how you spell it. My epic fail
Report abuse
Fantastic performance and a well earned point. No way was that a red card against Milijas but thankfully we managed to survive the last 20 mins with just 10 men. Hennessey of course made all the difference as he had a remendous game. All we need to do now is show the same spirit against Bolton.
Report abuse
Well done the team, you made *ALL* the Wolves fans proud of you! The “Never say Die” spirit is what the Wolves is all about, and it was good to see some of it today! The tactics worked well and we contained a more skilled team and then made our own chances.
McCarthy acted like “Mr Sensible” today, and fielded a team that few would disagree with, so no disagreements between fans. Look what happened! This is what we are wanting every week!!! No more “Mr Silly”, please Mick :o)
Report abuse
Massive point and certainly worth the trip to North london to see so much frustration on the Arsenal terraces. Harsh red card to looked on Milijas who i thought was the best outfield player, man of match though went to Hennessey super performance in the second half. Plus there is only one Steven Fletcher and fair play to Mick, I am not a fan of him but that was brave to put Forde in and the lad did well especially when playing against a good side like Arsenal. The young irishman looked comfortable on the ball and worked hard lots of promise which is good to see. Take this confidence into the Bolton game where we haven’t done really well down the years, I don’t know if we have ever won at the Reedbok? A win is due then if we haven’t won there before.
Report abuse
BSD. Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations to Wolves, MM, Boys in Gold and black, and WOLVERHAMPTON.
Thanks MM for my Xmas present – 1 point.
So here is my present to the team and fans ( can we sing this on our homegames)
Oh the being inside the relagation zone is frightful,
But the golden fire is so delightful,
And since we’ve Molineux to go,
Golden Snow! Golden Snow! Golden Snow!
Wolves doesn’t show signs of stopping,
And we’ve bought some points for popping,
The other teams lights are turned way down low,
Golden Snow! Golden Snow! Golden Snow!
When we finally kiss the season goodnight,
How I’ll hate going out in the storm!
But if the Wolves team really holds on tight,
At home we’ll be warm.
The golden fire is glowing,
And, my dear Mick, we’re still good-bying,
But as long as you love Wolves so,
Golden Snow! Golden Snow! Golden Snow!
My grateful thanks to Sammy Cahn and the composer Jule Styne for their wonderful song and allowing BSD to use lyrics for my master piece.
Report abuse
Unbelievable result!!! Pete Nuts, unlike you I didn’t suck on any porn pies but I did think we’d go down 5-0 at least. Hennessey alone kept us in that game and Arsenal, to their total chagrin, failed to beat US. Get a defence McCarthy, otherwise this result was no more than a fluke.
Report abuse
Well done Wolves I am a happy clapping numpty for a short while I suppose. Mccarthy got it spot on for change today and full marks to the team they all defended very well chased and never gave up. Never a sending off Song got away with a worse double challenge, Hennessey was brilliant and so was johnson,
Report abuse
Petenuts post before the game……
‘Two things will happen today.
Wolves will lose emphatically against a far superior side against whom we traditionally are outperformed even when they put out the youngsters.
As such, today will be a day of contrasts – a shame that we lose, probably by a big score, but can any day that knows such luxuries be truly declared one wasted? Merry post-Christmas, PeteNuts fans!’ STOP.
What a great way to prepare for a game. What truely wonderful words of wisdom.
I wish you and the numpties like you would forever disappear from any association with WWFC. It has been half soaked, clap trap, sorrow obsessed fools like Petenuts and Richwolf that has kept Wolves in the doldrums for so long.
Eat all your words you fools, just as you had to last season and the season before. True Wolves fans disagree with you and do not listen to, or respect you.
Ignore these muppets lads. Lets go and get somethin’ at Bolton. WE ARE WOLVES!!
Report abuse
Numpty wrong with positive posts, NotsoBilly Wiseman. We fought, we survived but get real, we were still not good enough. A bad hair day at the Emirates, ask Arsene, Even so a great result for the Wolves but let’s not delude ourselves. A win against Bolton is far more relevant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!& ESSENTIAL.
Report abuse
well done lads good game, wayne you played a blinder today well done and happy new year to mick and all the team
Report abuse
Or #4, 5 from the last 15, a bit positive I know, but it’s Christmas ain’t it.
Well done the lads, keep it going for the Bolton match.
Report abuse
Didn’t get to the game but am just watching highlights on Sky. Having just watched Song get booked and Milijas sent off I have to say where do these refs get their ideas from. 2 Wolves players chopped down one after a foul had been given = yellow card: Good tackle from a Wolvces player – got the ball and feet were NOT high off the ground = red card!!!???? No wonder unfashionable clubs are towards the bottom of the league!
Report abuse
So, Song commits bad fouls on Fletcher and then Hunt inside of five seconds, and gets a yellow card. Milijas stretches to reach a ball, makes contact, Arteta goes down as if shot, and gets a red card. Where does Wenger get the statement that “Several decisions went against us” from????
Report abuse
Great day out – thought we were looking well worth a point until the ridiculous red card – having seen it again tonight on TV I can’t believe it won’t be rescinded. Wenger still moaned about the ref – no idea why!
No doubt the usual suspects will be on with their selective stats on the XX points out of the last XX games but it’s still a tremendous point for us. Hope Zube’s knee is OK and Milijas gets back. No reason we can’t get all 3 points at Bolton.
Report abuse
immense performance from Wolves today…brilliant.well done..a real team effort.
Report abuse
immense performance today..a real team effort..well done to the whole squad and the staff..brilliant!
Report abuse
i was at the game today, and this was our best defensive performance this season. Johnson,berra, henry, and hennessy were all exceptional. Poor refereeing and a couple of silly mistakes almost cost us but i think we deserved the point.
The fans were fantastic today and were vocal even during half time.
The tv highlights on sky dont tell the full story. it looks like a game when it was henners against the arsenal team and only he prevented them from scoring.
We were comfortable in the first half, and although they had most of the ball in the second half, they didnt create much.It was only after Miljas sending off for a fine tackle that we came under real pressure in the last 20 mins, but we held firm.
Micks tactics were spot on. We didnt play too deep and let them have the ball in non threatening areas.
I live in london and keep telling my gunners fans how good fletcher is.I dont know many players who would have scored from that misshit shot from hunt. it really was a top class finish.
Report abuse
Watched most of the game and have to say that was a great backs to the wall performance with Wayne in magnificent form. However, the game also highlighted again our inability to keep the ball.
I still fear for our premiership future if we continue to give the ball away – we probably created more of Arsenal’s chances today than they did.
Massive game on Saturday and hope the ref admits he made a mistake with the ridiclous sending off of Ned so he is free to play.
Report abuse
Of course we have to appeal the red card.
Harry Redknapp said a couple years ago, referees should be put on a rating system, and be moved up and down divisions as teams are.
The last 21 minutes was excruciating, 10 men and 6 minutes extra time.
The entire squad was superb. Hennessey, Johnson,
Report abuse
GOOD POINT LADS WELL EARNT
Good defending, good goal keeping but most, lucky for us bad finnishing. 26 shots, 73% posession for the diving cheating gunners, once again a ref that shows more favour to the more acomplished team.
Song should have been sent off but gets away with it (shock) but a good tackle from milijas results in a strait red (realy ref) so a clear kick from behind on fletcher and then strait after clearly kicking jarvis just because he (song) lost the ball, realy even and fair, not.
So we move on to notlob on sat, Just keep on picking up the points, 3 this wkend and we can start looking up.
We still need a couple of new players but the right ones that can be put into the team strait away.
UTW
Report abuse
Watched the game this morning in HD live on US tv drinking beer with my brother inlaw with the snow falling outside. Great game, great display from the team. Wolves forever.
Report abuse
A real spirited display for the entire game. Yes Henners pulled something special out today but a word of praise to RJ. Today he showed what he can do – excellent display with 2 or 3 last minute blocks on goal bound shots. As for the referee – what a plonker! Miljas stretched and made contact with the ball to push it on, his boot then barely touched Artetta who jumped as if he had been shot. This should be appealed and rescinded. Then Hunt gave away a free kick near the end but never touched the Arsenal player, who just fell over after losing the ball. I love the football that Arsenal play, but the amount of complaining and diving they do is appalling.
Report abuse
I was in physical pain watching the last 15min of that game. Well done to the team, they gave their all and were justly rewarded. I have nothing but admiration for all the fans who travelled to see this game. I salute and thankyou for all the support you give to the team.
Report abuse
Said it weeks ago on here, Hennessey is a class apart from the rest of the Wolves team, if he stays injury free you stand a chance of staying up, without him, its not looking good. Point away at Arsenal is a good result though.
Report abuse
Good result for Wolves. A point at Bolton will now be enough and takes a lot of pressure off you.
Like you we’ve had some terrible decisions go against us this season and few that have gone for us. Before anybody says it is just the way we see it against our own teams, Sammon’s red card in the Man Ure Wigan game was the perfect example. PL referees look for a reason to send off players when it’s against the ‘big teams’ and look for a reason not to send off players like Rooney as in last season’s game against Wigan. Anybody in any doubt look at the two incidents and compare them.
Premier League refereeing stinks to high heaven.
Looking forward to next season’s Black Country derby.
Report abuse
Just woke up from me winter slumber to see the result, great that team spirit seems to be back but unfortunatly does’nt hide the fact that we are several players short of the quality we need to establish ourselves in this division, and i get the feeling that we wont be spending much in Jan. Time to stop playing Russian roulette Moxey/ Morgan we cannot hope to keep surviving on the cheap. I love the idea of a new Molineux but instead of spending even more money on it next season, lets spend it on QUALITY players that can establish us and fill what we have got first!!!!
Well done lads.
Come on me Babbies
Report abuse
Well, it was borderline unbearable watching that in the back of the Newhampton, so I dread to think how nail-biting it will have been for those of you who were actually there, but talk about all that pain being worth it in the end! Watch the vultures come circling for Wayne and Big Steve when the window opens though… Time to plump up those contracts, I reckon!
Report abuse
Having just read Tim Nash’s report, think he must be on something?
His quote “this was the best defensive performance under McCarthy”, no it wasn’t, it was because Hennessy made save after save, otherwise we would have been buried.
Forde was probably given the nod over Hammill as he didn’t waste a ball,. What!!!!
Take nothing away from the effort and the result but be objective.
Report abuse
Great battling qualities and resilience of the team to not only recover from an early goal deficit but to fight tooth and nail with 10 men for the last 21 frenzied minutes.
Wayne Hennessey was undisputedly man of the match – save after save from the relentless Arsenal onslaught. I am in awe.
There’s only one Steven Fletcher, our special goal threat, don’t anyone dare take him away from us.
Milijas’ sending off was harsh and I hope the red card is rescinded. Now that he’s getting match time, we can see the quality of possession and distribution that he contributes in central midfield.
Johnson, thankfully, has reminded us why he was a highly rated acquisition; keep it going.
I never really rated Stearman as rightback, and I can’t wait for a fit Kevin Foley to claim this position, but I think he defended superbly along with Berra and Johnson in the frantic late second half. Zubar, lots of passion, attacking qualities but exposed in defence too often for my liking. Hope his injury is not serious.
Henry worked hard, but what’s worrying is that he sometimes dallies needlessly on the ball and gets dispossessed. Still a stalwart to the team and always gives his all.
Special mention to young Forde – not overwhelmed, lots of potential and did some good defensive work. Well done!
Credit to the whole team who bared their guts, heart and soul out there. Loving Wolves is excruciating and exhilarating and some kind of wonderful – I wouldn’t change them for anything else.
Report abuse
Thats what this team/squad is all about & has been for the previous 2 seasons for some reason we haven’t seen much of that fighting spirit this season, but yesterday’s performance, certainly from a defensive point of view is now the benchmark.
I was proud of how our boys didn’t crack & with 20 mins to go ‘the arse’ typically referred to their dirty tricks & bully boy tactics as they were running out of ideas, diving & putting the ref under pressure at every opportunity, Vermaerlin, Van Persie & Arteta stood out for the wrong reasons, how song stayed on the pitch only the ref will know, justice would have us snatching a 96th minute winner.
Loved little Hunty swinging Van Persie round by the throat for running 30 yds to berate the ref in the sending off incident.
Fair play to the Albion lads who have posted, proper footy fans, nice one;-)
It’s performances like that, that make me proud to be a Wolves fan & of the current regime.
This spirit/attitude must replicated in the forth coming fixtures.
KTF
Wolvesforever
Report abuse
That wasn’t Stuart Attwell, it was Winny Attwell reffing your match today. If the FA rescind the red card, then Attwell should be suspended for 3 matches.
Well done Wulfies, it’s times like this we are Black Country folk and support each other.
PS: I saw the Wolves team at my beloved Hawthorns on Boxing Day taking a lesson in defending. Go to the top of the class, you passed. 10 out of 10.
Report abuse
well done wolves, just like our game, that was hard fought.
Hennessey is brilliant, Milijas made a perfectly good tackle and should not have been sent off.
I cant remember watching a game that was so one sided before with Arsenel throwing the kitchen sink at you, but fairplay, you somehow managed to scrap a point, and away to arsenal thats impressive.
I hope we both have a good new year.
Report abuse
Well done Wolves.
What a disgrace Wenger is, didn’t have the decency to give the Wolves any sort of praise for their performance, I suppose that’s sums why the arsenal team are a load highly skilled cheats.
Once again the ref was a disgrace, it was almost as if he had a bet on arsenal to win the game, complete and utter shambolic display from him.
But back to our display, we played ok, I’m only saying only ok, because I was screaming at the TV at the way we kept surrendering the ball. Never known a team like Wolves who once get the ball, give it back straight away, they need to work on keeping the ball, like from a the kick off staight to our goalkeeper who then hoofs it up field, resulting in loosing the ball, why do they keep doing this?
Got to say tho a great display from Henners, Johnson had a better game for once, although still not convinced about him.
The big one tho for us, is the next watch against Bolton, this is a real 6 pointer, win this and I might get off MM’s back for a while.
But as everybody knows, being a Wolves fan, they could easily go up there and lose that game.
3 points next game is a MUST….
Report abuse
Watched the game and have to agree with No 28.The fight and energy was there for all to see, but we were murdered all over the park,some of our defensive mistakes were comical at times but we got away with it.Special mention for Hunty who was back to his best and covered every blade of grass.Fantastic point, but it just papers over the lack of ability in the side. Henry couldnt control a bag of cement and gave it away on a regular basis, Ward turned into trouble a couple of times and was saved by great goalkeeping.Lets not get carried away by this and sign at least three TOP players this window.Zubar looked to have picked up a serious injury.
Report abuse
Great display,but we only just hung on but you have to remember that teams like Arsenal have been in the premiership since it’s conception so have all the money and, therefore, the best analysts, coaches, wages and players.As usual all the money and decisions go to the Sky six(who can’t afford to lose them for revenue purposes. This combo is uncontolable juggernaut that get bigger and bigger; how i wish income was shared more equally, particularly in the lower leages, then there would be less of a schism. Haing said that, Wolves still need more organisation and better quality defenders and defensive midfielders playing in their rightful postions. I don’t know if Mick is asking but Moxey won’t pay.
Report abuse
How does a ‘great defensive display’ result in the opposition having 23 (17 on target) attempts on goal? It was a great display in shot-stopping from Henners-which is my point. The goalkeeper isn’t often be man-of-the-match following a good defensive display.As has already been stated, we have a complete lack of control when in possession of the ball – the way we started the match (two touches then hoooooofff!) was groan-inducing. Henry didn’t even look for a teammate, he had one intention only and that was to pass it all the way back to WH for the obligatory thwack, inevitably resulting in concession.Even if Fletch managed to get his head to it, it’s still going to end up with their keeper.All the familiar frailties were there to see-almost no cover for the defence from midfield, crosses delivered into our box at will and the cluelessness when in possession.We were hammered 1-1. As Nick Hornby would point out, there’s a lot for a fan to be pleased about in that.Not from a footballing perspective but purely from a puerile viewpoint.They should have buried us…but didn’t.Tough! No points for ‘should have’.Ner ner!The minimum we can expect as fans is that our team ‘puts a shift in’, so I don’t see that as a reason for heaping praise on them. You tried? Oh,good!Well done you!So, a point at Arsenal is a bonus point and is to be enjoyed no matter how it’s gained but needs to be consolidated with at least the same from Bolton.They’re there for the taking and we should be looking at it as a fantastic oppotunity to make up for some of the points dropped at home this season.Fourth from bottom will do and to have gone through the first half of the season having beaten the three teams below us will mean we deserve to be out of the relegation places on merit.
Report abuse
Sorry Numpties another Christmas ruined!
Happy Clapping to survival and a fourth year in the Premiership…..Super, Super Mick…
Report abuse
Wear the away kit EVERY game
Please please please sign a defender in january
Report abuse
Lots of great posts and numpties giving their keyboards a much needed rest. I can only that those of you who think Hennessey was the only reason we got a draw watched the highlights rather than going to the game. If anything the Milijas joke red made us even more determined that they weren’t going to beat us – they got what their diving,moaning, cheating tactics deserved – it’s a shame as they played lots of amazing football.
Here’s to a big turnout for Bolton and 3 points then we can all look positively towards 2012.
Report abuse
good result for you dingles much respect to your keeper well done and deserved on that display .we,ve all had a great xmas. happy new year to you all, boing boing!!!!!!!
Report abuse
Noisy- I was at the match(only my second away match of the season and i’m yet to see them lose) it’s just that I have a different opinion, that’s all. You can only (think)that I must have watched the highlights? Oh, dear. Not that I went and have a differing view?Not that I watched the game live in a pub,porn bap in hand, and have a differing opinion? I’m never surprised (let alone bereft of reasons for) other opinions to my own. I’m like that.
Report abuse
Houdini would have been proud of that performance! And its a team effort so lets accept it as a well deserved & hard earned bonus point and focus on the Bolton game which is of course much more critical.
The dilemna that McCarthy faces now is who fills the creative role in midfield? Does he give Guedioura a free role to show what he can do? and knowing this one should be viewed as more winnable does he revert to 442 and bring Seb back? I would also like to see Hamill forgiven for his misdemeanours (whatever they may have been) and given a chance to create opportunities for Fletch & Seb.
If Wolves re-produce the never say die approach displayed yesterday it will make it very hard for Bolton. We know McCarthy has a habit of being over cautious but this is an opportunity to put real daylight between ourselves and the teams below us so come on Mick how about it? be positive & go for the win from the off – no one is going to bemoan it if you send out a team with a positive look to it. This is one of those moments which could change our season for the better.
UTW
Report abuse
What a nasty, horrible club Aresnal are, allways have been and allways will be.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a display like that from a keeper, just hope we can get a gentlemans agreement with him so he stays until the end of the season. Wayne used to have a weakness in his box (ooer missus) but now he really is looking a top top keeper, and still young.
FWAW
Report abuse
How nice to see some excellent posts from “real” Baggies fans.
It makes a change from the silly drivel we get from people like Jack of clubs.
Thanks Cyril and his ilk.
Report abuse
Well I was at the match and I’ve come on today amazed at these reports?
Defensive masterclass? That’s more like it?
what on earth is all the fuss about?
we were under siege nearly the whole game. In the 2nd half I’m not sure we even got out our own half.
It was everyman behind the ball and some desperate last minute defending.
If anyone gets carried away then you are havign a laugh. If this is all we are capable of then we may as well pack up and all go home now.
Yes it was Arsenal. But it wasn’t the Arsenal of yester year. It wasn’t even the Arsenal of last year! It was a very average Arsenal that still managed over 70% of the ball the whole game.
Phew.. I’m not sure what some of you were watching. Or maybe you weren’t!
Report abuse
I forgot to say..
Henry was shocking today , again. And Tim Nash? It’s about time you got yourself another job.. if that’s your analysis of the game then you ain’t no football journalist.
You haven’t a clue mate.
Report abuse
McCARTHY referring to the players as ‘heroes’, what a belligerent jackass!
Report abuse
JtH Head. I was listening for a lot of it in the car and the folks near must have thought I’d gone potty when he blew the end. That 6 minutes lasted for ever. When you ain’t playing us, you, Villa and Blues can beat everybody as far as I’m concerned, they’re all the enemy. But this big club referee syndrome needs STAMPING ON by hammering the biased refs. NOW. We had a ref at The Hawthorns who was absolutely superb against Man.City. Hardly knew he was there at all. So he won’t be getting a fancy holiday on a yacht!
Report abuse
Defensive Masterclas????????????? More like Rourkes Drift!!!!!!!!!!!!. Do these reporters really go to these games. Man of the Match by a mile Hennessey. This was a siege most of the game and on another day we could have los by 5 or 6. But we didn’t so all is well again and MM is the great Houdini!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report abuse
I don’t care how we got it but a point at Arsenal is great, Richwolf you’re a little ray of sunshine! anyway Happy New Year to all Wolves supporters, even you Mr Richwolf…
Report abuse
#86 – Richwolf64
You went to the game ay….. I doubt it. I don’t even think your a wolves supporter!
Fans who go to away games are usually absolute die hard and passionate about there team! You are a moaning negative numpty! why would you waste so much money going all that way only to come on here a be negative? can’t you enjoy the result?
Who cares if all we did was with stand a barrage of attack from Arsenal? WE did it didn’t we and look at how much they were frustrated afterwards… nothing but pampered princesses!! Lovely!
In Mick We Trust!!!
Report abuse
At the end od the day,we came home with a point at Arsenal.Now they have to move on to their 6-pointer at Bolton.We need to get results week and after week from now on if we are going to stay up.
Report abuse
82 Sancho – fair enough, I think when KH gets the ball 10 yards from his own box and finds RVP in his face, with all the other midfielders and both fullbacks also closely marked, it is a tough game for him. There were numerous great blocks and tackles and I didn’t feel like it was a siege until we went down to 10 men. Still that’s just my opinion – happy New Year.
I’ll carry on tilting at a few of the windmills on here
Don Quixote
Report abuse
Richwolf64 – I would consider not going to matches if you cant enjoy a point away against Arsenal. Isnt football meant to be entertainment, yet it would seem its not for you.
Even suggesting Arsenal arent even as good as last season is laughable. They are well on their way to eclipsing last seasons points total, at the half way stage of the season, and their season didnt even get going until 7 games in. Is this the same average Arsenal who are one of only 2 english clubs still in the champions league? or is it the average Arsenal who have gone 11 games with only 1 loss and that was against mega rich man city.
Report abuse
Houdini, Houdini! How that name always escapes me!
Report abuse
Was at the match ( sitting in the North Bank with Arsenal fans ) and the referee was an absolute shower as Terry-Thomas would say . Even the home fans were giving him abuse. Could not believe Milijas was sent off – a hard but very fair tackle . I took the opportunity to watch Henry’s game and to see why he gets so much bad press on here. He ran a long way during the match but was marking nobody ,did not seem to want the ball back in good one/two situations and occupied the wrong spaces on the pitch .He just seems a yard off of the pace in thought and movement . A pity as I thought he did well in the first Premiership season. As many have said ,we need a player to put pressure on his place.The defence seemed to defend too deep in the first half but what a second half . Hennessey was magnificent and will be player of the season I hope . He’s improved so much ( the earlier contender ,Ward , has slipped back into his old defensive ways – he gives the wingers way too much space ).Good to see Johnson back on form and shouting again . A superb rearguard action by everybody . That’s the first time I’ve ever seen Wolves take a point away to Arsenal in 55 years of following them ( missed some when I used to play on Saturdays )so thanks for that. A great afternoon which hopefully can be used as a springboard to stay up .Finally , very impressed with Forde – breath of fresh air in the team – more please Mick !!
Report abuse
“There’s no point going away from the Emirates all jubilant with a point and going to Bolton and getting beaten. We’ll need the same performance at Bolton.”
The SAME performance? I do hope he doesn’t mean that literally. According to what I saw on MOTD they had 73% possession! When did we have 27%? If we did it was when Hennessey was flinging himself about.
Bouyed by getting a point at Arsenal and showing determination for the first time this season should encourage the lads to go for a win at least.
Sancho,good post but this is England mate, the English don’t much like people who have different opinions to themselves. It threatens them. Sabes?
Report abuse
How many points is it possible to get by playing that way ?
Arsenal would win by along way , 99% of the time .
As usual Hunt and a few others were found lacking .
On that performance (forget the single point) Wolves will go down .
Report abuse
Has anyone noticed that since the selfish O’Hara has been replaced by a “team player” that the overall performance has improved?
Strange really!!
Report abuse
Richwolf? It’s about time you got yourself another life.. if that’s your idea of supporting Wolves then you ain’t no football fan.
You haven’t a clue mate.
Report abuse
Agree with most of the earlier posts- Henners was brilliant and RJ had a much better game. No way Milijas should have been red carded, but like some of the defenders wanted too much time on the ball and got himself into trouble, but let’s celebrate an unexpected point. The boys were gutsy and stood up, especially in those last 20 minutes when it was 10 v 12. PS # 18, 65, 66, 72 and 73 – fair play to the Baggies fans coming on here and you guys are right, this refereeing bias in favour of the so-called “bigger” clubs is a disgrace.
Report abuse
Congratulations to Mick and the boys. It’s a point I never expected, so I’ll take it gratefully, even if it made me a nervous wreck watching us get battered, at times. Well done, Wolves, for showing such great determination and commitment to the cause -even if you did ride your luck quite a bit. Now just back it up with another point at Bolton -though preferably three.
Thanks for the kind Xmas wishes you sent on that other thread, Streako. They must’ve worked because I had a great Xmas (just for a change). I hope you did, too, mate.
Report abuse
Being from Wolverhampton I have supported my team since a boy. I have watched the club being rebuilt and am loving being in the Premiership. I would love us to stay there but I must admit that enjoy the thrill and the fight for survival (as long as we don’t go down !). But if we do, is it really the end of the world, its just a game. Working/living in Shanghai we see all the games but I listen on Wolvesplayer. Interesting because there is a two minute delay between commentary and the picture so I already know if we have scored before I see it.
Report abuse
100% effort and o% quality (with the exception of hennessey and fletcher)will only paper over the cracks for so long……..
Report abuse
YOSB-always quite admired your posts but you’ve gone down in my estimation!getting friendly with Streako what’s the world coming too!!!
Report abuse
A fantastic point vs the Gooners doesn’t mean everything in the Wolves garden is rosey!!
Absolutely delighted with the result, but still don’t think that MM is the man to take us forward!!!
WTID
Report abuse