Arsenal go second after 4-1 win at Wolves

By CHRIS TUPLING STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Arsenal moved into the second place in the Premier League on goal difference above champions Manchester United following an emphatic 4-1 win over Wolverhampton at Molineux.

Arsene Wenger’s smooth-passing young side were in irresistible form, surging into a three-goal lead by half time and producing an exhibition of top class football in the second as Wolves swiftly ran out of ideas.

Wolves gifted Arsenal two own goals but that should not detract from the authority and skill of the Gunners side who are now only two points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Christophe Berra missed an easy chance for Wolves from six yards after 20 minutes but it was a rare moment of alarm in the Arsenal defence.

The Gunners lost Abou Diaby with injury after 26 minutes to be replaced by Alex Song but it failed to disrupt their command over hopelessly outplayed opponents.

Two minutes later Cesc Fabregas took a corner and Ronald Zubar, under pressure from Eduardo, put the ball into his own net.

Jody Craddock conceded the second own goal in the 36th minute when a shot from Eduardo was going wide until it clipped the Wolves defender and drifted over goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

There was nothing lucky about the Arsenal third goal in the 45th minute when Bacary Sagna crossed for Robin van Persie to lay the ball into the path of Fabregas to score.

The second half was a formality as Wolves struggled to stop Arsenal running up a big score.

Andrey Arshavin scored the fourth in the 66th minute when Hennessey punched a corner straight to him.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy sent on Matt Jarvis and, later, Michael Mancienne but Arsenal almost scored a fifth when Eduardo got clear only to have his shot blocked by Hennessey.

Arsenal’s win gave them 25 points from eleven matches while Wolves, last season’s Championship title-holders ended the match third from bottom with ten points from 12 fixtures.

McCarthy offered no excuses and praised Arsenal for their sheer quality before confirming that Wolves have a tough winter ahead.

He said: “We showed them a little too much respect at times. We let them pass the ball around and we all know what they can do if you let them play.

“We stood off them for a couple of goals and to be honest they were far too good on the day for us.

“This is disappointing because we have had three good draws lately and seemed to be coming to terms with what is required at his level. This is a timely reminder that we have not cracked it yet.”

Victorious Wenger said: “Our play was high tempo, full of good passing and movement. This is how we like to play our game.

“We have had a good week in terms of results and the quality of football we are producing. We have to maintain it.”