Arsenal return to winning ways against Wolves

Wolves 0 Arsenal 2. Two goals from Marouane Chamakh at the very beginning and end of the match helped Arsenal to a much-needed win over Wolves, which keeps the Gunners within touching distance of league leaders Chelsea.

After two straight defeats only a win would do for Arsene Wenger's men, who trailed their London rivals by five points going into the game. But Wolves have lately earned themselves a reputation for being tough opponents, beating Manchester City and causing United a lot of problems in their last two fixtures, so victory was not expected to be easy.

But Chamakh needed just 39 seconds to put the Gunners in front, as he went some way towards redeeming himself after his ineffectual performance against Newcastle on Sunday.

Alex Song was the benefactor, putting in a deliciously precise cross from the left which Chamakh duly diverted into the net past the flailing Wolves keeper.

It would be a full 93 minutes later before the game would see a second, Chamakh scoring again after being teed up by captain Cesc Fabregas.

The hero of the game however was Lukasz Fabianski, who put in a resolute and determined performance between the sticks to keep out the Wolves attacking threat.

Arsene Wenger said: "I think Fab did extremely well. He made a fantastic save in last minute. He was, of course, disappointed with the goal we conceded against Newcastle.

"Overall it's good not only that he had a great game, because I know he he's a great keeper, but also that he has the mental strength to respond quickly in a very positive way."

But if Fabianski was the hero then Fabregas was the villain when he came close to earning Arsenal's fifth red card of the season thanks to a reckless lunge at Stephen Ward during the closing stages of the second half.

Referee Mark Halsey needed to consult with his assistant before deciding on a yellow, rather than red, for the Arsenal playmaker. Ward on the other hand needed to be stretchered off with a gashed leg.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy however seemed pacified by Fabregas's appearance in the dressing room after the game to apologise to his player.

"Fabregas has been in to apologise and Wardy has accepted it like a man," he said. "This has been like a throwback to the old days where one player catches a player with a mistimed tackle, buys him a pint afterwards and the other says he will get him back later in the season."

Despite the win, Arsenal remain in third and all eyes are now on their next encounter away at Everton. It promises to be a tricky November for them as they then face Tottenham and Aston Villa. ·