Ruben Neves aims dig at Arsenal stars after Molineux clash

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves was not shy in aiming a less-than-subtle jibe at Arsenal, on the back of the meeting between the two clubs on Thursday evening.

Neves’ dig comes owing to what the Portuguese evidently feels were excessive celebrations on the part of Mikel Arteta’s squad, on the back of the full-time whistle at Molineux.

Speaking in his post-match interview, Wolves’ midfield metronome was drawn on his side’s display, as well as the eventual result, after the evening’s hosts were unlucky not to see a late siege on the Arsenal goal give rise to an equaliser.

And Neves was keen to take advantage of the opportunity to take aim at Arsenal, suggesting that the capital giants’ stars celebrated their latest triumph as though they had ‘won the league’:

Ruben Neves: “We saw the way they celebrated the win and that shows the level we are. I didn’t see Arsenal celebrating like this in the past 10 years – it was like they won the league.” [BBC]#Wolves #AFC

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) February 10, 2022

Gabriel the difference

Neves’ comments come on the back of an altogether hard-fought affair in the west Midlands on Thursday evening.

The clash, when all was said and done, was decided by just a solitary goal, as Gabriel Magalhaes’ close range finish with 25 minutes on the clock ensured that Arsenal took all three points back to north London:

Wolves have been knocking but it’s Arsenal who take the lead at the Molineux! 🔴

A scruffy corner is eventually turned in by Gabriel from close range 👌 pic.twitter.com/byGlPzLp12

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 10, 2022

The glee with which the Gunners’ stars celebrated the final whistle at Molineux, though, came owing to not only the gritty nature of their eventual triumph, but also the ensuing outcome on the Premier League table.

Owing to a first win in five across all competitions, Mikel Arteta’s men have climbed clear of Manchester United into 5th in the English top-flight, just a solitary point adrift of West Ham, whilst boasting a hefty two games in hand on the Irons.

‘Dream big’: Shot-stopper celebrates imminent Arsenal switch

Arsenal lining up summer swoop for Brazilian midfielder