Arsenal 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#4 Matt Doherty’s injury adds to Wolves’ defensive woes

Matt Doherty

Wolves started the game with a make-shift back three as Leander Dendoncker slotted in as the right-sided centre-back. Unsurprisingly, the visitors’ defence endured a few shaky moments courtesy a lack of communication.

Additionally, there were quite a few instances where the defensive line seemed clueless about tracking runners. Aubameyang and Lacazette’s off the ball running caused them all sorts of problems and it contributed to them allowing the Gunners back into the game.

And, to compound their woes, Matt Doherty picked up a knock midway through the half; an injury that forced him to hobble off the pitch.

Against Arsenal, the visitors were already missing Ryan Bennett and Willy Boly, meaning that they had two of their five first-choice defenders out of action. Yet, one feels the injury to Doherty might just throw more of a spanner in their works.

Wolves’ brand of football depends highly on their wing-backs’ ability to double up as auxiliary wingers and provide width on the flanks. The Irish defender had evolved into an ideal wing-back for the above philosophy courtesy his tendency to churn out an adequate end product in the final third.

Thus, his absence from the team could hurt Wolves quite a bit, more so considering their dense fixture list. And, though there hasn’t been any word on the magnitude of the injury so far, the visitors would hope it doesn’t hamper Doherty’s participation for too long.