Arsenal edge Wolves 2-1 in stoppage time at the Emirates as two Wolves own goals seal a dramatic win and move Mikel Arteta’s side five points clear.
Arsenal edged past Wolves in a chaotic finish at the Emirates Stadium, snatching a 2-1 victory deep into stoppage time. Two own goals proved decisive on a tense night that tested the nerves of the home crowd. The win sends the Gunners five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Frustration before the break
The first half was a frustrating watch for Arsenal. Wolves sat deep in a compact five-man defence and slowed the game whenever possible. The hosts failed to register a shot on target before the break, while Wolves threatened briefly through Hwang Hee-chan.
Mikel Arteta’s side increased the tempo after the restart but still struggled to break Wolves down. Declan Rice forced Sam Johnstone into action with a curling effort from range. That pressure finally told in the 70th minute from a set piece. Bukayo Saka’s in-swinging corner struck the far post before rebounding off Johnstone and into the net. It went down as an own goal, but it owed everything to Saka’s delivery. The breakthrough brought relief around the Emirates, though the tension never fully eased.
Arsenal dropped deeper as they tried to protect the lead, and Wolves sensed an opportunity. With bodies committed forward, the visitors found a late opening. In the 90th minute, Mateus Mané’s cross was met by substitute Tolu Arokodare, who headed past David Raya to level the score. The equalizer stunned the stadium as Arsenal supporters feared another damaging slip after recent dropped points. However, the final twist was still to come.
In the fourth minute of added time, Saka again delivered from the right. His cross was aimed towards Gabriel Jesus, but Yerson Mosquera, under pressure, glanced a header beyond his own goalkeeper. The stoppage time own goal sparked wild celebrations and visible relief among players and fans.
Saka was Arsenal’s standout performer and directly influenced both goals. His set piece quality proved decisive on a night short of fluency. Rice also drove the team forward in midfield, while Jesus’ late movement unsettled Wolves even without a goal.
For Wolves, Arokodare made an instant impact off the bench and Mané provided a crucial assist. Despite the defeat, their defensive discipline frustrated Arsenal for long spells. The result, though, extended a miserable run at the foot of the table.
Arsenal finished with 16 shots but created fewer clear chances than usual. Wolves managed just three attempts, yet made their pressure count late on. The Gunners’ expected goals was 1.02xG, while Wolves registered an expected goals of 0.38xG.
Arsenal return to Premier League action next Saturday with a tricky away trip to Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The league leaders will look to build on this late win and maintain their advantage at the top of the table as the title race intensifies.
Wolves are also back in action on Saturday when they host Brentford. Still rooted to the bottom of the table, Rob Edwards’ side will be desperate to turn competitive performances into points as the pressure continues to mount.
