Havertz and Saka fire Arsenal to opening day win over Wolves

The mood around The Emirates could not have been more relaxed this time in sultry north London — both on and off the pitch as Arsenal won without having to engage all their gears.

Wolves, handing debuts to new signings Jorgen Strand Larsen and Gomes, played the role of well-behaved guests, enjoying a fair share of the ball but threatening little.

Arsenal, runners-up to City for the past two seasons, dominated the opening period and took the lead when Saka was given time to pick out Havertz, who directed his header into the corner to give keeper Jose Sa no chance.

Carelessness set in though for Arsenal, and Wolves came closest to an equaliser when Hwang Hee-chan’s cross was met by Larsen with a header that Raya did well to keep out.

Arsenal laboured after the break but the points were safe when Saka, Arsenal’s most dangerous player, cut in from the right and buried a left-foot shot past Sa.