'The first attack point of the season made by the opponent's GK defense' Hwang Hee-chan, full-time + the highest rating in the team...Wolverhampton was beaten 0-2 by Arsenal in the opening round

Aug 18, 2024

'Bull'Hwang Hee-chan unfortunately hit his first offensive point of the season. Wolverhampton lost 0-2 to Arsenal in the first round of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2024-2025 season at the Emirates Stadium in London on the 17th (Korea time). Wolverhampton started the new season in 19th place, losing the first game. Arsenal, who have remained runners-up for two consecutive seasons, have made a good start with a clean sweep of their home opener.Hwang Hee-chan started as a side striker and actively walked on the field. Unfortunately, he failed to score an attack point and had to watch his team lose.

'Bull'Hwang Hee-chan unfortunately lost his first attack point of the season.

Wolverhampton lost 0-2 to Arsenal in the first round of the English Premier League (EPL) in the 2024-2025 season at the Emirates Stadium in London on the 17th (Korea time). Wolverhampton started the new season in 19th place, losing the first game. Arsenal, who have remained runners-up for two consecutive seasons, have made a good start with a clean sweep of their home opener.

Hwang Hee-chan started as a side striker and actively walked on the field. Unfortunately, he failed to score an attack point and had to watch his team lose.

Hwang Hee-chan scored 12 goals and 3 assists last season, his best performance since entering the EPL. It was the first double-digit score and career high in three years since entering the league. Based on his performance, Hwang Hee-chan re-signed Wolverhampton on good terms and received a strong love call from Marseille in the summer transfer market. With Pedro Netu moving to Chelsea, Hwang Hee-chan has become an even more important player at Wolverhampton.

The home team Arsenal played in a 4-3-3 formation. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka made the three-top. Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Martin 외degaard formed the midfield. Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Magalyangis, William Saliba and Ben White set up four backs. David Raya defended the goal.

Away team Wolverhampton faced off in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Jürgen Stran Larsen is in the top position. Hwang Hee-chan, Rodrigo Gomes and Jean-Likner Belgard were in the second line. João Gómez and Mario Lemina were placed on the third line. Matt Doherty, Gerson Mosquera, Toti Gomes and Rayan Ait Nouri made four backs. Jose Saga wore goalkeeper gloves.

Following the initial search, Arsenal went on the offensive. Arsenal made their first effective shot with White's mid-range shot in the 14th minute of the first half. Saka then beat one defense and tried to score with a sensational left-footed shot, but was blocked by the goalkeeper.

In the 15th minute, White converted Martnelli's cutback with a shot, but it went off the post. In the 18th minute, Saka attempted a right footed shot following Havertz and a one-two pass. He was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Arsenal eventually scored the first goal. 24 min Saka caught the ball and crossed it in a free kick. Havertz nudged it in with a header. Wolverhampton also fought back. 28 min A free kick from a good position, but Belgard's shot went over the post. Arsenal then saw Saka tripping into the box, but the referee proceeded with the game. In the 44th minute, Martinelli beat a defense and fired a conversion shot, but it went off the defense.

At the start of the second half, Arsenal missed the opportunity to score an additional goal. Havertz had a perfect scoring opportunity in the box, but the shot was not properly closed. In the 6th minute, Hwang Hee-chan tried to cut back with a great breakthrough, but Arsenal's defense cleared it. Ten minutes Havertz and Mosquera collided. Havertz grabbed Mosquera by the neck after the ball race and fell. Mosquera also fell, pushing Havertz's neck. The cards did not come out despite the rough movements of the two players.

Wolverhampton put Matheus Cunha in place of Belgard for the equalizer. Arsenal's offensive continued. Fati connected Zinchenko's cutback with a left footed shot. He missed the goal slightly. Havertz also tried a sharp shot, but he came out on defense. Wolverhampton fought back. In the 18th minute, Ait Nouri's shot was slightly off the right side of the net, and Hodrigo's Caesars kick was also off the mark. In the 22nd minute, Cunha intercepted Saliba's pass miss and connected it with a shot, but headed straight for the goalkeeper.

Arsenal strengthened their defense by excluding Zinchenko and sending Timber to Yuri. Arsenal eventually scored an extra goal. 28 min Arsenal quickly developed the ball in a free-kick situation. With the pressure loose, Saka took the opportunity, and Saka shook the Wolverhampton net with a left-footed shot. Wolverhampton then tried to score by putting Cicinho, Pablo Sarabia and Craig Dawson, but unfortunately failed to score, and the game ended with Arsenal's 2-0 victory.

Hwang Hee-chan performed well on the day. He played full time, no shots, but succeeded in one key pass and one dribble breakthrough. He even scored an accurate delivery cross in the 36th minute of the first half when he was losing 0-1. However, it was regrettable that Larsen's decisive header shot was blocked by the opponent's goalkeeper Raya's super save. Hwang Hee-chan blocked the opponent's attack with an active defense at the end of the first half, and he almost won a penalty with an active breakthrough at the end of the second half. European soccer statistics media Footmob gave Hwang Hee-chan a 6.5 point rating after the game. It was the highest rating of the Wolverhampton offense. Huscore also rated 6.3 and Sofascore rated 6.7. It was also the highest rating among Wolverhampton strikers.

Wolverhampton will play Chelsea in the second round on the 25th.

vanbasten@sportschosun.com