Jhon Arias made a statement on his non-competitive debut for Wolves against Girona.
Wolves fans were able to catch a glimpse of Arias in Old Gold almost two weeks after the Colombian made the move from Fluminense to Molineux.
In a game that saw Wolves lose 2-1 to Girona, Vitor Pereira gathered many pointers, some positive and some negative.
Arias was certainly a positive from the fixture, as the summer signing added a new level of intensity to the final third, capping his debut off with a goal.
Girona v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Pre-season Friendly
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Jhon Arias’ strength noticed on his Wolves debut
Wolves fans loved what they saw from Arias on his debut, as the winger got himself into some dangerous positions.
The 27-year-old’s goal was fabulously worked, as Joao Gomes slipped the ball through, seeing the forward latch onto the pass, beat two defenders and tuck the ball home.
It was a dazzling passage of play from Wolves, but it wasn’t only Arias’ finish that had people talking.
Reporting live from the Estadi Montilivi, Express and Star reporter Liam Keen loved what he saw from Arias in the build-up to the goal.
MORE WOLVES STORIES
“He shrugs off the challenge; he’s strong, he’s bullish, he gets out there, and he’s direct,” Keen said, noticing the Colombian’s strength on the ball.
“It’s a good finish, he’s created it himself, great for him from a confidence aspect, coming to a new club. After the goal as well, he had a few other good moments.”
The strength Arias showed to create the chance and score bodes well for his future in the Premier League, where he’ll experience physical challenges every match.
Early signs suggest Arias can fill Vitor Pereira’s Matheus Cunha void
Fans won’t want to get too ahead of themselves after Arias’ debut, but it’s impossible not to get excited by what the Colombia international showed in Girona.
Strength on the ball and the ability to find space in pockets will remind supporters of what made Matheus Cunha so unplayable at Wolves.
There’s no pressure on Arias to walk the same path as Cunha, but the similarities between their profiles are there for all to see.
It was an impressive debut from Arias, giving a taster of what he will bring to Pereira’s attack.