Three Arsenal stars’ celebration speaks volumes as Chelsea and Man United record in sight

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya celebrates after his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal FC at Molineux.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya celebrates after his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal FC at Molineux. -Credit:Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images


Arsenal got back to winning ways on Saturday as they took their chance to return to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Wolves.

The Gunners travelled to Molineux in the late kick-off, looking to bounce back from the disappointment of defeats against Aston Villa and Bayern Munich over the past seven days. With Manchester City in FA Cup action, it gave Mikel Arteta’s team a chance to climb above their rivals in the table.

Arsenal were left frustrated until the closing stages of the first half, when Gabriel Jesus managed to get the ball to Leandro Trossard on the edge of the area. The Belgian’s slice, deliberate or not, found the top corner off the woodwork to give his side a precious lead just before half time.

Despite dominating the majority of the second half, it took until the 95th minute to seal all three points. Martin Odegaard was able to squeeze the ball in at a tight angle to make it 2-0.

That goal prompted celebrations among Arsenal players. But it was a separate celebration at the back between goalkeeper David Raya and defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba that spoke volumes about the importance of the defensive display.

Only leading 1-0, Wolves naturally put pressure on late in the game as they searched for an equaliser. Gabriel, Saliba and Raya were part of the defensive unit that stood strong, and it’s not the first time in recent weeks.

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In fact, the clean sheet against Wolves was the sixth in a row away from home for Arsenal in the Premier League. The team are closing in on the record of seven achieved by Chelsea in December 2008 and Manchester United in February 2009.

Arsenal’s chance to equal the record will come in a week when they make the short journey to take on North London rivals Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. If they achieve a clean sheet in that game, then the chance to beat the record will come against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, May 12.

Those two games could also be pivotal in the ongoing title race. Gabriel, Saliba and Raya will be hoping for more separate celebrations in the coming weeks, with more clean sheets only helping Arsenal’s cause.