Arsenal 2-1 Wolves: Early strikes by Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard send the Gunners four points clear of Man City at Premier League summit but Matheus Cunha’s strike ensured a nervy finale at the Emirates

Not many teams can match Arsenal for style and speed, but even fewer can match their ability to mine small-scale drama from absolute calm.

This was one of those games where Mikel Arteta's team showed two sides of the same face: the side capable of great football and the side that makes everything a little more nervous than it needs to be.

All this may sound like an over-analysis of a group that currently has a four-point lead over Manchester City, but history conditions us to look at the details when it comes to Arsenal.

In short, they were exceptional here until they weren't, which is to say they delivered wonderful passages by going 2-0 up, spent much of the next hour strolling and boasting, and then for whatever reason their feet fell in the last few minutes.

Much has been made of their improved defense this season and it's all true. The numbers prove it. But there remains a slight feeling that they cannot be completely trusted, which is why a little bit of danger could enter this match again after brilliant goals from Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard killed the game inside thirteen minutes.

The fear was introduced late by Matheus Cunha, but there was a hint of self-sabotage in it; Oleksandr Zinchenko's carelessness was quite striking. That was a shame for him, because his contribution to the Odegaard goal had been enormous.

And too bad for Arsenal, as a seventh clean sheet of the season disappeared and was needlessly replaced by a few awkward minutes.

But let's not overstate things; it was just a fluctuation. Possibly revealing from a side that needs to do more to end a game, but a wobble nonetheless. Had two Arsenal shots gone in against the woodwork, the scoreline would have been a much more accurate reflection of the match as they were in good shape for long stretches.

Arteta was certainly pleased. “Football is not perfect, but I am very happy with the way we played,” he said.

'It should have been a much bigger score. We made a mistake and they take the chance, and it's a Premier League game.

'We have to keep winning games and keep performing like we are now. That's the challenge, to keep doing that every three days because we have another important game against Luton.”

Gary O'Neil would later dispute that his side may have been denied by the referee's timekeeping, but that was a generous self-assessment. They were well beaten from the start.

He had arrived with the plan to sit behind a packed midfield, absorb what they could and activate the spring when the ball came their way. But that was a bit like the plans Mike Tyson once discussed: they sound good until you get punched in the mouth.

Here Wolves were hit in the mouth hard, early and often. Arteta had only adjusted his deck after the hammering of Lens in midweek, with Kai Havertz demoted due to Leandro Trossard's improved mobility, but the collective banter they dished out will shield that decision from any deeper analysis.

The opening goal came after six minutes and was beautiful because of the simplicity of the short ball, starting when Saka took possession on the right and drew in Toti and Hugo Bueno.

Gabriel Jesus burst into the space behind them and after a series of quick, small passes, Saka pushed his way through Craig Dawson's sidestep. He curled a finish over Jose Sa and Arsenal scored their 100th goal of 2023.

That was a classic from the Arsenal genre – the scalpel over the axe – but the second goal was even more beautiful to the eye.

The starting point was a skipped cross from Saka, but the escalation from there was beautiful to watch: Oleksandr Zinchenko had regained possession and initiated a series of three initial passes between himself and Jesus, and then on to Odegaard. Sticking to the pattern, the Norwegian opted for a touch and simply nailed the finish off his left foot from 15 yards.

For a man whose season was interrupted by hip problems, concussion and subtle tactical adjustments in a deeper role, it was a nice reminder of his qualities.

The way he delayed his run prior to the attack, allowing the defense to play freely as they charged towards Zinchenko, was a demonstration of his football intelligence as well as his technique.

Wolves would soon lose Jose Sa to injury and were forced to withstand a barrage of attacks.

It might have hidden and probably should have, but the second half was closer and eventually Arsenal fell behind, with Zinchenko caught on the ball in his own area by Nelson Semedo before Cunha swept home the loose ball. A good finish and unnecessary drama.