Aliadiere leads taming of Wolves

Arsenal 5 Wolves 1

In his first start in over two months, Patrick Vieira led out an inexperienced Arsenal side packed with young prospects.

Wolves made a bright start with Kenny Miller winning a free-kick a little over a minute into the match but Joey Gudjonsson’s set-piece found the arms of Graham Stack in the Arsenal goal.

Arsenal were soon in full control with David Bentley proving a real handful down the left and Vieira bossing the midfield as Wolves battled to cope with the speedy attacks.

Arsenal could not be denied the lead in the 24th minute.

Defender Lee Naylor made the initial error when his back pass was intercepted by the lurking Jeremie Aliadiere who stroked his shot past Wolves keeper Marshall for his second goal of the season.

Bentley fired a free-kick inches over the crossbar while at the other end Ince forced Stack into a magnificent save as Wolves finally began to threaten with some promising raids late in the half.

Kanu dazzled moments after the restart with another weaving run but he took the final shot himself when Aliadiere was in a better position to his right.

Aliadiere played in Wiltord in the 50th minute but the French marksman saw his effort well saved by Marshall.

Kanu and Aliadiere went close as outgunned Wolves found themselves being squeezed out again with Vieira dominating the centre of the field, pushing Wolves off the ball almost at will.

Arsenal’s second goal seemed inevitable and it arrived in the 67th minute when Wiltord burst clear down the right after being fed by substitute Olafur-Ingi Skulason, and the French marksman fired his cross into Kanu who converted from close range.

But Aliadiere went one better three minutes later when he turned Wolves’ defence inside-out before concluding his mesmerising 20-yard run with a powerful drive which gave Marshall no chance.

Wiltord added a fourth following a defence-splitting pass from Vieira with 11 minutes left.

Alex Rae pulled one back for Wolves with a stunning drive, although there was still time for Cesc to complete the rout with a simple tap-in two minutes from time.

ARSENAL: Stack, Tavlaridis, Clichy, Hoyte, Wiltord, Vieira, Simek, Fabregas Soler, Bentley, Kanu, Aliadiere.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Marshall, Naylor, Craddock, Butler, Andrews, Gudjonsson, Rae, Ince, Camara, Blake, Miller.

Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire)