Wolverhampton Wanderers won their first Premier League game in 8 as they picked up three points at Molineux with a 2-1 win over Arsenal.
Nuno Espirito Santo believes that this is a 'big moment' in the course of the season for Wolves. He talked to the media after the match on Tuesday.
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On a big moment for the season
There's no doubt that the win on Tuesday night was a mood changer amongst players and fans. Nuno believes that the preparation before the game played a big factor in picking up the three points.
He said "I think the big moment for us was before the game, we really recognised what the team needs. It's the best of each one of us. Individual actions from the team, We are in this process, we build our way, we build our confidence, so we can continue through the hard competition that doesn't stop, it gets harder and harder"
"Today was hard, it's a big moment for us in terms of what it means for what we want to rebuild "
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On Joao Moutinho's winning strike
Joao Moutinho scored the pick of the bunch in the enthralling match-up at Molineux. Coming just under five minutes into the second-half Moutinho picked up the ball on the edge of the box and hit an arrow into the top left corner past a helpless Bernd Leno in the Arsenal goal.
Nuno was full of praise for the goal. stating "It's amazing. Beautiful goal. When you see a goal so beautiful, you have to enjoy it. Joao is a very talented player."
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On a hard first-half
The first-half seemed to be difficult for the Midlands club as they fell behind in the 32nd minute thanks to a Nicolas Pepe strike to put themselves in the driving seat. Nuno acknowledged the problems that Arsenal caused and says where Wolves need to improve
"They started very well. Arsenal were playing very good, they created us enormous problems in the first-half. We got a warning from the goal, this fragility that you see, we must try to improve it."
"Every time we are in our box, we don’t defend well, so we must improve on that aspect. Arsenal have good players, good possession, and the first half was very difficult for us."
"It was difficult because our opponent are quality. The pivotal moment that changed the game was the penalty. That gave us the belief that we could go for the second-half and chase the game."
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On controlling the second-half
Having scoring with the final kick of the first-half Wolves came out for the second period and looked a lot better in terms of performance and confidence. Nuno believes that patience and controlling the pace was key.
“We had to have patience, move the ball from one side to the other, Arsenal were struggling in those moments and after much harder, but even though, I must be honest, the feeling was that let’s have the ball so they can’t cause us problems and it should be the other way around.
“We should kill the game, we had options to do so, and this is what we’re looking for, this maturity that we recognise the moment that we must kill the game. We’ll go inside and try to find a better way to do it.”
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On Willian Jose impressing
This was the third time new signing, Willian Jose put on the Wolves jersey and took to the pitch. The striker made an imprint on the game, drawing a penalty and having a presence overall. Nuno believes that the team must integrate him more in the team.
“The moment of the penalty, all the situations he had, we have to integrate him better in the dynamic of the team. It’s him recognising his teammates, seeing his strengths, we are in the process, trying hard.”