In Germany, they christen the team top of the Bundesliga at Christmas die Herbstmeisterschaft, the winter champions. While Arsenal mirroring what, in effect, is nothing more than a claim to fame in the Premier League is practically meaningless to Mikel Arteta, it is a milestone Arsenal have not managed since 2007. Martin Ødegaard scored twice in victory at Wolves as Arsenal offered a reminder heading into the World Cup break that they are in undeniably rude health. Wolves, meanwhile, need Julen Lopetegui to use that period to revive their season.
Arteta will have welcomed his former mentor Pep Guardiola enduring a rare off-day, with Manchester City’s shock defeat at home by Brentford guaranteeing Arsenal top spot at Christmas. For Arsenal, the challenge at kick-off was to not only admire the view at the summit but to return to winning ways and subsequently stretch their legs. They thought they had got off to a flyer when Gabriel Jesus killed Gabriel Martinelli’s cross and then leathered in with his next touch, only to be flagged offside. Jesus also hit the crossbar before the break after latching on to a Bukayo Saka pass but the Wolves defence again outsmarted the striker and the linesman again raised his flag.
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