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Arsenal vs Wolves result: Visitors recover after Raul Jimenez head injury to claim Premier League victory

Arsenal 1-2 Wolves: Daniel Podence netted the winner after Gabriel Magalhaes had equalised for the Gunners following Pedro Neto’s opener

Mark Mann-Bryans
Sunday 29 November 2020 21:31 GMT
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(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Wolves recovered after their forward Raul Jimenez suffered a head injury at the Emirates to record a first league win at Arsenal in more than 40 years.

Jimenez was involved in a nasty clash of heads with Arsenal’s David Luiz in the first half and was taken to hospital, having received almost 10 minutes of treatment on the pitch.

Although Jimenez’s team-mates were visibly shaken by the events, they rallied to win 2-1 as Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence struck either side of a Gabriel Magalhaes header to earn a deserved victory.

Jimenez was reported to be conscious and responding to treatment as the game wore on – while Arsenal were left to defend leaving Luiz on until half-time.

READ MORE: Jimenez taken to hospital after clash of heads with Luiz

The Brazilian defender came off the better of the two after the fifth-minute clash with Jimenez but was bandaged up and bleeding, with Arsenal insisting they followed all protocols before allowing Luiz to continue.

He was replaced at half-time by Rob Holding as Arsenal aimed to fight back and earn a point - but instead they suffered a third straight Premier League defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

Meanwhile, Wolves left with their first league success over the Gunners since 1979 and move up to sixth in the table.

Luiz and Jimenez collided following an early Arsenal corner. The former was soon on his feet but Jimenez was down as the paramedics and medical staff all raced onto the pitch.

The Mexico forward was eventually taken off strapped to a stretcher and receiving oxygen as Fabio Silva came on in his place.

There was a sombre mood on the pitch when the action returned but Wolves would take the lead soon after.

Leander Dendoncker headed an Adama Traore cross against the frame of the goal but Neto was quickest to respond and converted the rebound.

The lead would be short-lived as Arsenal hit back just three minutes later, Gabriel rising to brilliantly head home Willian's cross.

It was their first Premier League goal from open play in almost eight-and-a-half hours - but they were trailing again before the break.

Raul Jimenez was carried off the pitch on a stretcher (Getty Images)

Dendoncker had already forced a low save out of Bernd Leno at the other end before fine work from Traore allowed Neto to run at the Arsenal defence.

His low shot was deflected and caused Leno an issue as the ball hit his legs and rolled out for Podence to finish coolly.

READ MORE: Premier League table and fixtures – all games by date and kick-off time

With a long period of added time at the end of the first-half, Traore should have sent Wolves in two goals ahead at the break but fired into the side netting when well-placed.

Luiz did not emerge for the second period as Holding came on, but Mikel Arteta's side toiled in attack in their forlorn attempt to get back into the contest.

Bukayo Saka passed up a fine chance as he skewed a shot when Hector Bellerin picked out the England international unmarked in the box.

Wolves had Arsenal at arm's length but Rui Patricio – making his 100th appearance for the club – almost gifted the hosts an equaliser after passing straight to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: the Arsenal skipper unable to convert as Conor Coady made the block.

Substitute Reiss Nelson then fired over from a position where he would have at least wanted to hit the target.

Arteta also introduced Alexandre Lacazette from the bench but Wolves held firm to pick up a win on what would have been a difficult night for everyone at the club.

This weekend get a £10 free bet with Betfair, when you bet £10 on a Same Game Multi on the Premier League. Terms: Min £10 Same Game Multi bet on any EPL match this Fri - Sun. Free bet valid for 72 hours, awarded at bet settlement. Excludes cashed out bets. T&Cs apply.

PA

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