MAROUNE CHAMAKH SILENCE HIS CRITICS WITH A DOUBLE AT MOLINEUX

BIG CHAMAKH ON THE DOUBLE

Chamakh scores the fastest goal

Marouane Chamakh scored both goals as Arsenal bounced back from their weekend home defeat with a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their Premier League clash at Molineux.

The Moroccan striker opened the scoring after only 37 seconds, the fastest goal in this season's Premier League.

And moments after a superb injury-time save from Lukasz Fabianski, the summer signing from Bordeaux secured the victory with his second.

It was the Gunners’ 11th successive victory against Wolves in all competitions and gives Arsene Wenger‘s side a welcome boost after consecutive defeats to Shakhtar Donetsk and Newcastle.

Arsene Wenger made three changes to his side that lost to Newcastle on Sunday with Johan Djorou replace red carded Koncielny, Andre Arshavin for Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky on for Theo Walcott.

It did not take the visitors long to banish the nerves as they scored their fastest ever goal in the Premier League.

Inside the opening minute a terrific cross from the right from Alex Song was met by Chamakh who attacked the header and beat Marcus Hahnemann to give the Gunners a dream start.

Wolves

FT 02

Arsenal

0 - 1

Marouane Chamakh 1'

0 - 2

Marouane Chamakh 90'

HT: 0 - 1

Molineux (Attendance: 27,329)

Wolves started like a team stuck in the relegation zone and could have been further behind with Hahnemann quickly off his line to smother a shot from Andrey Arshavin before saving with his knees from Cesc Fabregas.

Wolves were dealt a further blow as David Edwards went off injured early on to be replaced by Stephen Hunt but they improved as the half progressed.

Kevin Doyle headed Hunt's free-kick narrowly over the bar and Matt Jarvis's cross from the by-line deflected off Sebastien Squillaci and almost found the sub at the back post but Fabianski put the ball out for a corner.

The second-half was a lively and at times fractious affair with Bacary Sagna making a crucial saving block almost straight from the whistle before Fabregas spurned a gilt-edged chance at the other end after Richard Stearman gifted the ball to Tomas Rosicky.

The Arsenal skipper dragged his shot wide with only Hahnemann to beat and Wolves grew in confidence thereafter, creating a series of chances in quick succession.

Arsenal vs Wolves line-up

Doyle's shot was destined for the top corner only for Fabianski to deny him with a super fingertip save. And the resulting corner reached Stearman at the back post but the big defender could only thigh the ball towards goal and Rosicky cleared off his line

Kevin Foley’s near post header then drifted just over the top before Hunt found space in the penalty area but was unable to direct his header on target from eight yards.

Arsenal were on the backfoot but Arshavin produced a moment of class, his run down the left ending in a shot that hit the far post with Hahnemann beaten.

The Gunners had another chance to settle the game inside the final 10 minutes but after Squillaci's mis-kick from five yards, he managed to flick the ball to Johan Djourou whose shot deflected off Karl Henry and hit the same post.

Wolves, who lost at Old Trafford on Saturday in injury-time, came perilously close on two occasions to a last-gasp equaliser.

First Hunt released Doyle who ran at pace, cut inside and was a matter of inches away from putting his shot in the far corner.

And in injury time, Fabianski - at blame for Andy Carroll's winner at the Emirates only four days before - produced an outstanding one-handed save low to his left to deny Christophe Berra.

It was cruel on Mick McCarthy's side when Fabregas, who had been cautioned for a late tackle on Stephen Ward that saw the Wolves full-back leave the field on a stretcher, released Chamakh who lifted the ball over Hahnemann for his and Arsenal’s second to keep the Gunners within five points of leaders Chelsea.