LONDON: Arsenal made a flying start to their bid to win the Premier League title as goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka sealed a 2-0 victory against Wolves on Saturday.
Germany forward Havertz put Mikel Arteta’s side ahead in the first half at the Emirates Stadium and England winger Saka wrapped up the points after the interval.
It was exactly the kind of statement Arsenal needed after Arteta admitted they will have to be almost perfect to end Manchester City’s four-year reign as champions.
Arsenal enjoyed a record-breaking 2023/24 campaign, winning more games than ever before in the division, but were still pipped to the title.
City finished two points above Arsenal as the Gunners were forced to settle for a runners-up berth for a second successive season.
Arsenal haven’t won the title since Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ went unbeaten through the 2003-04 league campaign.
But the painful near-misses endured by Arteta’s men have not dulled their appetite for success, with Arteta’s quirky man-management fueling the fire.
Arteta hired a group of professional pickpockets to teach his squad a valuable lesson in the close-season.
Unaware of the pickpockets’ presence at a team dinner, Arsenal’s players were relieved of their valuables as Arteta took the opportunity to remind them to be alert at all times, on and off the pitch.
Stealing the Premier League title from City won’t be so easy for Arteta.
Arteta has so far opted against signing the striker that many regard as the missing piece in Arsenal’s title jigsaw.
Riccardo Calafiori was Arteta’s major close-season signing from Bologna, but the Italy defender was only named on the bench.
Arteta has been linked with Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino but despite the call for new recruits, there was scant evidence of any Arsenal flaws in the north London sunshine.
The Gunners were quickly on the front foot as Ben White’s deflected effort was saved by Jose Sa.
Saka forced Sa into a fine stop moments later as the Wolves keeper sprawled to keep out a low drive.
Arsenal had all the momentum against a Wolves side with little creative ambition and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 25th minute.
As he was so often last season, Saka was the catalyst with a pin-point cross that picked out Havertz, who applied the finishing touch with a clinical header.
After showing little attacking ambition, Wolves were woken from their slumber by Havertz’s opener.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s fierce long-range strike flashed just over before Jorgen Strand Larse’s header drew an agile save from David Raya.
Arsenal still finished the half in the ascendency as Declan Rice’s flick reached Gabriel Martinelli and his curler deflected narrowly over.
On top again after the interval, Arteta’s side went close through Havertz’s chip before Thomas Partey drilled just wide.
Arsenal briefly lost their composure as Rayan Ait-Nouri’s 25-yard strike whistled past the post.
Matheus Cunha shot straight at Raya after Arsenal gave the ball away at the back.
But the Gunners finished strongly and Martin Odegaard’s effort was pushed out by Sa before Saka struck in the 74th minute.
A flowing move climaxed with Saka lashing a thunderous strike past Sa as Arsenal underlined their desire to wrestle the title away from City.
Arsenal sink Wolves in flying start to title charge
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Arsenal sink Wolves in flying start to title charge
- Germany forward Havertz put Mikel Arteta’s side ahead in the first half at the Emirates Stadium
- England winger Saka wrapped up the points after the interval
World No. 5 Elena Rybakina to headline strong field at 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open
- The 2022 Wimbledon champion joins defending champion Belinda Bencic and Spanish favorite Paula Badosa for the event from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7
- Rising stars Victoria Mboko and Alexandra Eala continue breakthrough journeys at WTA 500 platform
ABU DHABI: One of the strongest fields in its history has been unveiled for this year’s Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.
The 2022 Wimbledon champion and world No. 5 Elena Rybakina will head an exciting line-up featuring Grand Slam winners, Olympic medalists and the sport’s most exciting rising stars when the WTA 500 tournament returns to the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, from Jan. 31 to Feb. 7.
The Kazakh powerhouse, who won the tournament in 2024, has established herself as one of the game’s elite competitors. Since her triumph at Wimbledon, she has reached the 2023 Australian Open final and secured multiple WTA 500 and 1000 titles, including the 2025 WTA Finals Riyadh where she brushed aside World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.
“I really enjoyed my time in Abu Dhabi last year,” said Rybakina, who was defeated in the semi-finals by Bencic. “The city’s support for tennis is amazing, and reaching the semifinals was a solid way to begin 2025. This year, I’m coming back with the goal of going all the way again. The competition will be fierce, but that’s what makes it exciting.”
Rybakina will be joined by Belinda Bencic, who returns to defend her unbeaten record at the event. The Swiss Olympic gold medalist has lifted the trophy in both 2023 and 2025 and remains the only player never to have lost a match at the tournament.
Spanish favorite Paula Badosa adds further depth to the elite contingent. A former world No. 2 and Indian Wells champion, Badosa brings explosive power and fierce competitiveness to a field that promises compelling matches throughout the week.
The tournament’s commitment to the next generation is underlined by the confirmation of two of 2025’s most compelling breakthrough stars. Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko, who rocketed from outside the world’s top 300 at the start of 2025 to inside the top 20 following titles in Montreal and Hong Kong, continues her remarkable rise on the WTA Tour.
Joining her is Filipina star Alexandra Eala, who returns to Abu Dhabi following her 2024 debut. The 20-year-old former US Open girls’ champion has continued her steady climb through the rankings and remains the highest-ranked Filipino player in tour history.
Czech duo Barbora Krejcikova, a multiple Grand Slam champion in both singles and doubles, and Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, bring proven track records while American rising star Emma Navarro, Denmark’s Clara Tauson and Canada’s Leylah Fernandez — the 2023 French Open finalist — add further depth to an already formidable lineup.
The field also features former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, who captured the 2025 doubles title in Abu Dhabi alongside Ellen Perez. Chinese star Qinwen Zheng, Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska and 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin round out a top 20 that promises world-class tennis from the opening qualifiers through to the championship weekend.
Further elite talent includes Ekaterina Alexandrova and Liudmila Samsonova, Belgium’s Elise Mertens, Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, American McCartney Kessler and Australian Maya Joint.
Nigel Gupta, MARI tournament director, said: “The 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open field represents everything this tournament has become — a compelling blend of Grand Slam champions, Olympic medalists and the sport’s most exciting emerging talent. Elena Rybakina’s arrival as our top seed adds tremendous star power, while Belinda’s pursuit of a third title and the inclusion of breakthrough stars like Victoria Mboko and Alexandra Eala demonstrate our commitment to showcasing both today’s champions and tomorrow’s legends. This is shaping up to be our strongest edition yet.”
