Arsenal were on course for victory thanks to goals from Saka and Hincapie, but ended up embarrassing themselves against bottom club Wolverhampton. The league leaders could only manage a 2-2 draw at Wolves due to an own goal in stoppage time.
After their comfortable FA Cup win against Wigan (4-0), Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta once again put his faith in his first-choice players. Gyökeres, Rice, Zubimendi, Hincapie, and Gabriel all started the game. Havertz, meanwhile, did not make the squad as the German attacking midfielder continues to recover from a muscle injury.
Saka puts Arsenal on track early on
Even without Havertz, the Gunners got off to a flying start. Less than five minutes in, they had already found the back of the net, with Rice finding plenty of space on the left wing and picking out Saka with a precise cross. Arteta’s side showed no signs of letting up and pinned Wolverhampton back in their own half. However, there were no real chances to speak of at first. The hosts managed to hold their own in the first half with their robustness and strength in challenges.
When there was danger, it was almost exclusively in front of José Sa’s goal, who wobbled briefly when Madueke curled in a shot, but was on hand to save Martinelli’s follow-up (17′).
The league leaders dominated the game after that, but lacked the final touch in their attacking moves. In stoppage time at the end of the first half, André gave the stadium its first moment of excitement, but his low long-range shot missed the target.
In the second half, the hosts carried the momentum of the final minutes of the first half into the new half and took control of the game. Arsenal were very passive, but were caught out by a period of pressure from Wolves.
In the second half, the hosts carried the momentum from the final minutes into the game and took control. Arsenal were very passive, but struck a blow in the midst of a period of pressure from Wolves when Hincapie kept his cool in front of José Sá after a strong through ball from Gabriel (56′). At first, the assistant referee raised his flag, believing the former Leverkusen player to be offside. However, after consulting VAR, the goal was rightly allowed to stand. The hosts were not fazed by this. Just three minutes later, Wolves struck back in spectacular fashion. Bueno curled the ball beautifully into the corner from near the right corner of the penalty area, reigniting the stadium.
An open game developed with the bottom-of-the-table team having the advantage. Arsenal’s defense wobbled from time to time but did not allow any notable scoring chances. Wolverhampton increasingly played long balls, which posed little problem for the Londoners.
Wolverhampton shocks Gunners late
Nevertheless, the hosts did not give up and were rewarded for their efforts very late in the game – with a little help from the Arsenal defense. Gabriel and Raya got in each other’s way on a cross, causing the keeper to drop the ball. Calafiori was unable to save Edozie’s shot. The defender first pushed the ball against the post, then got it back on his body and had to watch as it bounced into the net (90+4).
This increases the lead over ManCity, who have one game in hand, to just five points.
On Sunday (3 p.m.), Wolverhampton Wanderers continue their campaign at Crystal Palace. Two and a half hours later, Arsenal face Tottenham Hotspur in the London derby.