Craddock (og) 36

                                                                                                    Fabregas 45 + 1

                                                                                                    Arshavin 66

Arsenal swept past the challenge of Mick McCarthy’s Wolves to temporarily take over second place in the EPL table. But they had to weather an early storm from the hosts, and were grateful for two huge slices of luck for their first two goals before approaching their sublime best and running out convincing winners.

Their third goal was a classic counter-attack and their fourth an excellent piece of finishing. And if Wolves had possessed these qualities in any great measure they would have taken the lead during a first quarter where they had the edge. But Irish international Kevin Doyle and last season’s top-scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake were off-target with decent headed opportunities. And centre-half Christophe Barra missed an even better chance midway through the half, getting in behind Arsenal’s rearguard from a Nenad Milijas free-kick. But, in doing so, he got in front of the ball, which turned his free header from six yards out into a clearance.

On 28 minutes, Arsenal were ahead. Indisciplined defending put the hosts under pressure, which told when Cesc Fabregas’ left-wing corner diverted into the net off Ronald Zuber’s thigh. Eight minutes later, the Gunners doubled their advantage. Aaron Ramsey and Eduardo da Silva made a bit if a mess of a two-on-one break. But Eduardo’s attempt to lob Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessy took a vital deflection off Jody Craddock and looped into the net.

The killer blow came in first-half stoppage time. Bacary Sagna broke down the right and crossed for Robin Van Persie, whose exquisite cushioned pass left Fabregas with a straightforward right-foot finish. Andrei Arshavin fired the Gunners’ fourth on 66 minutes after a half-cleared corner fell to him on the edge of the box. And Craddock’s header from an 89^th minute corner, the defender’s third goal in two games, gave Wolves the consolation their early contribution merited.