Joining Mikey Burrows as always was regular co-commentator and ex-Wolves full-back Andy Thompson, as well as fellow former old gold players in goalkeeper Carl Ikeme and striker Chris Iwelumo, who analysed the Premier League win against the Gunners.
Also joining the panel were special guests including former Arsenal and England midfielder Paul Merson, who offered the perspective of the visitors ahead of kick-off, and ex-Wolves striker, winger and full-back Stephen Ward, as the team discussed Rui Patricio’s 100th appearance for the club and the attacking threat that came from a change in formation.
On first win at Arsenal in 40 years
Ikeme said: “It was a really good performance from an attacking perspective, and we had to ride it out for the final 20 minutes, and I don’t think I’ve been that nervous watching Wolves for a long time.
“But that’s part and parcel for football, you’re going to have moments when you’re under the cosh and Nuno had to change it to get some more bodies in defence, and we saw it out and thoroughly deserved the victory.”
Thompson said: “Neto was outstanding. The amount he ran and you could see at the end how shattered he was. Traore played well, Dendoncker had a good performance in the middle – he covered some ground. But this is what we want to see from our team because we have such quality.”
On Jimenez’s horrific injury
Thompson: “There was immediate concern from both teams. They were both going for the ball, Jimenez just got to the ball a fraction earlier than Luiz, but these things can happen in football.
“It wasn’t nice what happened, and you don’t want it to happen to anyone, but there was no malice in it. They were both committed to getting the ball, and unfortunately it ended up with this clash of heads.
“But the most important thing is that Jimenez has the right people around him now.”
— Raúl Jiménez (@Raul_Jimenez9) November 30, 2020
On bouncing back from the loss of Raul
Ikeme said: “To recover from the blow earlier must have been hard. It was hard watching as a Wolves fan, and I’m sure all of us will wish Raul the best as well.
“We looked sharp in the opening few minutes, we wanted to take the game to Arsenal and we carried that on throughout the first-half. I thought we looked really good down the right side with Traore attacking well, and Podence and and Neto bringing other aspects to the attacking line-up, and Dendoncker getting forward, I thought we looked really good.
“We started to defend better as the half went on, and Fabio [Silva] did well when he came on, which was good to see, but it was a very good half for Wolves.”
On the attacking threat of Wolves
Iwelumo said: “There were so many positives, but for me, Pedro Neto was outstanding. Some of the balls he put into the box were great, and Silva came on and his touch and movement was excellent.
“We linked up really well, but there are still areas where I felt they could’ve been more selfish. If Neto’s got the ball in wide areas, they should anticipate, rather than react to it coming in because they would’ve basically been tapping it in at the far post.
“Traore, for the Podence goal, showed great trickery and the weight of pass into Neto was outstanding. Then the speed of thought by Podence to attempt something like that and then to execute it as well as he did was outstanding, and although we lost Jimenez – and our thoughts are with him – I really think the front four were excellent.”
A brilliant performance in difficult circumstances.
— Wolves (@Wolves) November 29, 2020
Well played, @pedrolneto7.
🔢👏 pic.twitter.com/XoErTLGXxO
On Patricio joining the 100 club
Ikeme said: “I think he’s been fantastic since he’s come in. He’s quietly gone about his business as well, made some big saves in big moments and he brings a wealth of experience.
“He brings a sense of calmness to the back three, or back four as it has been, and it’s become seamless. We speak about him because of the circumstances and because he’s a top keeper, but it’s been a seamless transition, and there’s never been a moment when we’ve been calling for him to be dropped.
“He was a great signing for Wolves, although I obviously knew how disappointing it would feel for John [Ruddy], but Rui’s been brilliant, he makes the big saves when he’s called upon and he’s getting even better. I’m sure he will keep improving and I hope he’s got at least another 100 appearances in him for Wolves.”
On Coady’s England Euros prospects
Merson said: “I think he’s a shoe-in. If we have any chance of winning that competition, then we have to play three at the back. He’s a great talking, reads the game well and he’s comfortable playing in that three. Plus, the amount of wing-backs we have, we’re blessed in those positions.
“I don’t think we’re pacey enough to play four at the back, and as long as he stays fit, then I think he’s a shoe-in, but there’s a long way to go until the end of the season. It’s all about timing.”
Ikeme said: “There have been question marks over if Coady could play in a back four, but he was really good.”
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