Player ratings: Bukayo Saka shines in opening day win but Oleksandr Zinchenko could lose his place after performance against Wolves

The first game of the Premier League season for Arsenal was at the Emirates, where they beat Wolves 2-0.

Full Time: Arsenal 2-0 Wolves

After Kai Havertz scored in the first 25 minutes, Bukayo Saka’s amazing goal in the 74th minute put the Gunners back in charge.

Sacha set up Havertz’s first Premier League goal of the season with a smart header from close range.

He was involved in a fight with Yerson Mosquera in the second half after that.

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Wolves had a good stretch of pressure, but Saka’s fine curling finish from 15 yards out shook the Emirates to its feet.

This is how Isabelle Barker of SunSport rated the Gunners’ show.

David Raya – 8

Produced a jaw-dropping save in the opening-half on an awkward Jorgen Strand Larsen header.

Saved Saliba’s skins late on when he nearly produced a monumental cock-up by passing the ball straight to Cunha. 

Ben White got a new hair do ahead of the new Prem season6Ben White got a new hair do ahead of the new Prem seasonCredit: Getty

Ben White – 7

White wanted a goal so bad, had two shots in the opening half and was linking the play well. 

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6

Put the Gunners under pressure at times to highlight why the club signed Riccardo Calafiori in the summer. 

The Ukrainian left-back also looked weak defensively.

With the return of Jurrien Timber, Zinchenko could see himself out of the starting XI.

Zinchenko failed to impress during Arsenal's win6Zinchenko failed to impress during Arsenal’s winCredit: Getty

Gabriel – 7

Was mostly rock solid at the back and was more reliable than Saliba but still made a few questionable tackles.

William Saliba – 6

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Was the culprit of a number of poor passes.

Had a disastrous spell which gifted Wolves a chance, forcing Raya into that blinding save in the first-half.

He then passed the ball straight to Matheus Cunha who so very nearly equalised in the second-half. 

Martin Odegaard – 7

Martin Odegaard led Arsenal to their first win of the new season6Martin Odegaard led Arsenal to their first win of the new seasonCredit: Getty

Thomas Partey – 7

Solid display, buzzed about all over the pitch and was neat and tidy with his distribution.

Nearly made it 2-0 in the second-half with a rasping, low shot. 

Declan Rice – 6

Had little influence throughout the game and came off injured on 84-minutes. 

Bukayo Saka – 9

The opener was all about the cross from Saka.

It was an inch-perfect, in-swinging cross into the box, the keeper couldn’t come for it, the defenders didn’t want to knock it into their own net, and Havertz took full advantage. 

He wrapped up a perfect performance by firing a rocket into the top corner to make it 2-0. 

Kai Havertz – 8

His opener had been brewing for a while when he produced a crisp finish on 25 minutes. He has now scored 10 goals in his last 15 Premier League games. Scuppered a golden chance early in the second-half though. 

Havertz was hit in the face by Yerson Mosquera leaving Arsenal fans fuming6Havertz was hit in the face by Yerson Mosquera leaving Arsenal fans fumingCredit: Getty

Gabriel Martinelli – 7

Solid performance but was wasteful and selfish when he could have laid the ball back to Declan Rice when he was wide open. 

Subs

JURRIEN TIMBER – 7

GABRIEL JESUS – 7

LEANDRO TROSSARD – 7

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