Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised his side as they scored two early goals to down Wolves and open up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League. With closest challengers and reigning champions Manchester City not in action until Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s side took full advantage as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard struck in the opening 16 minutes before a nervy ending brought about by Matheus Cunha’s strike. The Gunners ultimately ran out 2-1 winners on an afternoon where their early goals were the peak of a performance that promised more than it provided. Having thrashed Lens here 6-0 on Wednesday to ensure safe passage into the last 16 of the Champions League, Wolves proved they were made of sterner stuff and stayed in the contest until the last. But despite seeing his side labour after racing ahead, Arteta was still left pleased with the performance. “I can only praise the players,” he said. “They were excellent. We played against a really good side and generated so much and conceded almost nothing. The scoreline should have been very different. We were very unlucky because we hit the post three times I think. “At the end we made an error close to the goal – in the Premier League you get punished big time for that. Then at the end, it’s game on. Overall I’m really happy with how he performed again.” Arteta also backed Oleksandr Zinchenko – the full-back having made a number of minor errors during the game, including losing possession for Cunha’s consolation. The Ukraine international had earlier set up Odegaard for the crucial second and Arteta was in no mood to criticise the former Manchester City man. “You have to love him, how he is,” added the Spaniard. “Every player has strengths and weaknesses. Alex has many more strengths. This happened and it can happen to any player. “We have to learn from it because there are certain areas where it’s a big no to play, especially after certain things in the previous phase. That’s it. We will get better.” While Wolves left north London empty-handed, manager Gary O’Neil was pleased that his team did not capitulate after such a poor start. “When you concede two early goals, you know it might be a long afternoon,” he said. “We knew we’d suffer against Arsenal because everybody does. “The first goal was disappointing. There were so many bodies around Saka. For him to wriggle through and for us to look hesitant in the penalty area is disappointing. “The second goal was a great goal. We should have prevented it, but it happens. We stuck to the plan, tried to be aggressive and maybe didn’t carry as much of a threat as we would have liked, but not many teams do against Arsenal. “We managed to hang in and create a bit of a scare, and the lads should take a lot from that.” Read More Kevin Sinfield greeted by Sir Gareth Edwards after latest fundraising challenge Paul Heckingbottom stands by his work as Sheffield United lose again Neal Maupay makes the right impression on his manager Will Jacks looks at positives after England central contract snub Brentford beat Luton with strong second-half show Five-star Burnley crush Sheffield United at Turf Moor

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Former Manchester City boss Joe Royle says Pep Guardiola’s current side is “one of, if not the best” English football has seen. City completed the treble on Saturday night with victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final and Royle has no doubts where Guardiola’s class of 2023 ranks in the all-time list. Royle, 74, who led City from the third tier to the Premier League after back-to-back promotions in 1999 and 2000, told the PA news agency: “There’s no doubt about it. They’re one of, if not the best English club side there has been. “They’ve got to be talked of as one of them. They can play off the cuff or play in various systems and they can counter very quickly. “They’ve got world-class individuals, they’ve got the team ethic and they’ve got a very, very strong squad, covering every position.” Manchester United became the first English side to win the treble – league title, FA Cup and Champions League – under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999, the same year City dropped into the third tier for the first time in their history. The debate will now rage among both clubs’ fans over which is the greater achievement and Royle said: “A treble is a treble. “They’re both equally matched when compared to their rivals in their era and both City and United fans will rightfully claim that their side’s treble was the best.” Under Royle, City ended their one season in the old Second Division, now League One, in thrilling fashion by beating Gillingham on penalties in the play-off final at Wembley. Gillingham had led 2-0 in the final minute of normal time before last-gasp goals from City pair Kevin Horlock and Paul Dickov took the tie to extra-time and then penalties, with Royle’s side winning the shoot-out 3-1. “It was an unforgettable way to win promotion,” Royle said. “And when you consider how far City have come since then, there’s no secret. “The current ownership, with their financial support, have changed City from a side that did sink to the third tier. “We got back into the Premier League, but we certainly didn’t have the funding that the side does today in order for us to stay there and we went straight back down again. “But it’s been mostly on the up since then. It can never be too quick for a club to get in the Premier League. “The current side, look where they’ve gone now. They’ve completed the treble and deservedly so. You can never get there too quickly.” Certainly anyone who finishes ahead of them next season, in England or Europe, is going to be doing very well Former City manager Joe Royle Guardiola’s City have been crowned English champions in five of the last six seasons, but, after finally securing the Champions League Royle, is not sure if they will now dominate Europe in a similar manner. “Football is a season-by-season game isn’t it?” he added. “Certainly anyone who finishes ahead of them next season, in England or Europe, is going to be doing very well. “The money has been spent very well. They’ve generally bought very well. It’s one thing having money and another thing using it wisely and City have been very good at that.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Brentford turn Kevin Schade loan move into permanent club-record deal Jon Lewis says England are ready for ‘great challenge’ of regaining Ashes Ivan Toney calls FA ‘bit spiteful’ over ban case after missing ‘dream’ World Cup

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