Arsenal have established several character traits under Mikel Arteta since the Spaniard took over at Emirates Stadium.
Resilience is certainly one of those traits and it was evident at Molineux as the 10-man Gunners defended resolutely to come away with all three points.
There were elements of an old Jose Mourinho side as Arteta’s side narrowly beat Bruno Lage’s team, as Arsenal players timewasted and made the most of every challenge.
It was a performance that the supporters will remember come the end of the season as it signified once again that Arsenal are top four contenders.
The celebrations at full time were reminiscent of a team who have qualified for a major tournament but there was a collective feeling among everyone connected with the club that this win was a sign that a new-look Arsenal can secure a spot in Europe next season.
Despite the win and three points, there was once again a negative that reared its head. Gabriel Martinelli’s sending off for two yellow cards in the space of a minute provides Arteta with an unwelcome statistic with regards to discipline.
Arsenal have picked up four red cards in their last six games in all competitions and Martinelli’s red was the team’s 14th since Arteta took over as manager.
Many of the red cards have been avoidable and Martinelli’s certainly was.
"We have played the last three games with 10 men,” said Arteta after Thomas Partey was sent off against Liverpool
“When that is the case, it is extremely difficult to win football matches at this level.
"Against top sides you can’t do that because you’re completely exposed. It’s not what we need with a lot of people out. We will keep trying to do what we are doing."
Whilst the Gunners look to combat their disciplinary issues, an already paper-thin squad go into a crucial period of fixtures beaming with confidence and knowing full well that top four remains a serious possibility.
That’s as long as they keep their players on the pitch, though.
