Wolves 0-2 Arsenal: Gunners keep pressure on the hosts

Bukayo Saka celebrated signing a new long-term contract by helping Arsenal deliver a blow to Wolverhampton Wanderers' hopes of Champions League football next season.

The 18-year-old, who delighted manager Mike Arteta by pledging his future to the club, demonstrated why he is so highly regarded by scoring his first Premier League goal - a sweet, left-foot volley just before the interval.

And the Gunners made it four successive victories when Alexandre Lacazette capped a fine team display by turning on fellow substitute Joe Willock's pass and firing emphatically past Wolves keeper Rui Patricio with five minutes left.

Wolves had been hoping to build on an impressive restart to the season but knew the pressure was on to win after fellow top-four contenders Leicester City and Manchester United recorded victories before kick-off at Molineux.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side were not at their best. Adama Traore had their clearest chance after the break when he raced in on Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez from Diogo Jota's pass, but the Spanish forwrd lifted his finish over the top in wasteful fashion.

Wolves are still sixth in the Premier League table on 52 points, but seventh-placed Arsenal are now only three points behind.

• Reaction from Molineux and the rest of Saturday's Premier League games

Perfect end to Arsenal's week

Spirits have soared at Arsenal since they made a desperate restart to the Premier League season with defeat at Manchester City and then that acrimonious late loss at Brighton, a match that also cost them goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

They have since recorded league wins over Southampton and Norwich City, as well as progressing to the FA Cup semi-finals with victory at Sheffield United - but this win at Wolves was the most impressive demonstration yet of Arteta's growing influence.

And it came at the end of a pleasing week for the club with exciting teenagers Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both signing long-term contracts.

Saka showed his quality with that left-foot volley, taken with athleticism, composure and guided cleverly out of Rui Patricio's reach - but it came amid a fine all-round team performance.

Arsenal arrived at Molineux with Wolves storming into contention for the top four after three straight wins - over West Ham United, Bournemouth and Aston Villa - since the season's resumption.

Indeed, such was their form, Saka's goal was the first they had conceded in 448 minutes.

However, Arsenal were resolute, determined and willing to trade in the physical exchanges, and they produced the decisive moments of quality to win the game.

It continued the renaissance under Arteta, and while it is wise to keep all optimism in perspective given previous false dawns, this recent run leaves them only six points behind Manchester United, who had moved up to fourth by thrashing Bournemouth 5-2 earlier on Saturday.

More to follow.

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