Saka and Havertz both score and assist each other as Arsenal begin with win over Wolves

It was not a vintage performance, but goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka ensured a comfortable start to Arsenal’s title-challenging campaign as they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at the Emirates in the opening game of the Premier League season.

Against a Wolves side who did not let them settle into the game, Arsenal had to work to gain control of the match but laid siege to the visitors’ goal before Havertz’s opener after 25 minutes.

From this point it was far from one-way traffic though with David Raya making a fine stop to deny Jorgen Strand-Larsen a debut goal from a diving header before the break and Wanderers looking the far more dangerous side as the game entered its last third.

However, Arsenal retained their threat on the break and Saka’s goal, after a trademark cut inside from the right wing but less usual blast inside the near post, ensured the points would go to Mikel Arteta’s side.

Wolves, who host Chelsea next week, will be buoyed by their performance though, especially given the transitional nature of their personnel which will continue to be in flex before the transfer window closes.

If this game is anything to go by, it may be that VAR will become a less ubiquitous presence through the 90 minutes of matches.

There were incidents that required checking in this match, Saka being obstructed by Toti Gomes as he looked to turn back from the by-line which saw the England winger fall to ground in the box. Yerson Mosquera also made a strange decision to use Havertz’s neck with his outstretched arm to prevent a fall to the ground.

Then late in the game Gary O’Neil was booked for complaining at their being no check for Hwang Hee-Chan falling to ground in the box under a challenge from Jurrien Timber. Though this seemed the most tenuous of the three incidents, it is one which could have led to a not insubstantial delay to proceedings.

This suggests the talk of their being a directive from Howard Webb for their being a higher threshold for decisions to be overturned in this campaign will lead to VAR becoming less of a focus in matches – which is something we should all welcome.

It has been a busy summer for the fan favourite, but he looked typically fresh throughout the match, dangerous linking with Martin Odegaard and Havertz and always troubling a good opponent in Rayan Ait-Noiri.

The two best moments of the game came from his left foot: a near impossible to defend, inswinging cross which begged Havertz to head home and his blistering shot to ensure his side secured three points.

Arsenal: Raya 7; White 6, Saliba 6, Gabriel 7, Zinchenko 6; Partey 6, Rice 6, Odegaard 7; Saka 8*, Havertz 7, Martinelli 7.

Subs: Timber 6, Trossard 6, Jesus 6.

Wolves: Sa 7; Doherty 7, Mosquera 6, Toti 5, Ait-Nouri 6; Lemina 7, Joao Gomes 6, Rodrigo Gomes 5; Bellegarde 6, Hwang 6, Strand Larsen 6.

Subs: Cunha 6, Podence 5, Sarabia 6, Chiquinho 6, Dawson 6.

25′ GOAL! ARSENAL (HAVERTZ) 1-0 WOLVES Saka given space on the right wing, cuts in an curls a delightful cross to the six-yard box where Havertz beats Sa to the ball and heads home.

36′ GREAT STOP FROM RAYA TO DENY LARSEN! The debutant centre forward latched onto a fine cross from Hee-Chan with a diving header but Raya sticks out an arm to block the effort.

62′ GREAT EFFORT FROM AIT-NOURI! Partey gave the ball away 25 yards from goal and the Wolves full-back launched an arrow at goal which just flew wide, with Raya scrambling.

70′ GOOD STOP FROM SA TO DENY ODEGAARD! His left-footed drive took a deflection off Joao Gomes and the Portuguese stopper did well to deny the effort at his near post.

74′ GOAL! ARSENAL (SAKA) 2-0 WOLVES A typical Saka goal. He receives the ball on the edge of the area and turns inside his man before drilling a ball just inside the near post.

90+4′ SARABIA WITH A VOLLEY FROM CUNHA’S CROSS! But Raya flies to his left to ensure his side a clean sheet.

• 50 – William Saliba becomes the quickest Arsenal player to be a part of 50 wins, his coming after 66 matches. Four quicker than Nacho Monreal.