Arsenal Beat Wolves 2-1 With Stoppage-time Goal
Yerson Mosquera’s stoppage-time own goal gave Premier League leaders Arsenal victory over bottom of the table Wolves in a dramatic finish at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were frequently frustrated by a stubborn five-man Wolves defence and took until the 70th minute to take the lead, when Bukayo Saka’s curling corner was pushed on to the post by Sam Johnstone and the ball bounced off the goalkeeper’s back to put them ahead.
Arsenal were nervy as they looked to see out the win, but that allowed Wolves to send numerous balls into the box before Mateus Mane crossed for Tolu Arokodare to head home in the 90th minute.
Supporters had their heads in their hands as it appeared Arsenal had handed title rivals Manchester City the chance to move level on points against Crystal Palace on Sunday – before the final act in the late drama.
Saka cut in from the right before curling a cross towards substitute Gabriel Jesus, and Mosquera, trying to head clear, glanced the ball past his own keeper to the unbridled joy – and immense relief – of the home support.
“It was a rollercoaster,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told BBC Match of the Day. “The longer the game went on, they had hope and we had to accelerate our game and take more risks.
“We did find a way and that’s a very positive thing, if not we’d be very frustrated and rightly so, but there are things to improve obviously.”
There was a negative for Arsenal, though, as Ben White had to be withdrawn with a hamstring injury in the first half.
The thrilling victory means the Gunners are five points clear of Manchester City, and can focus on a tough trip to Everton next week.
Mikel Arteta reflects on last-gasp win for leaders Arsenal over bottom side Wolves
Arsenal will feel they have got away with one against a Wolves side without a Premier League win this season.
The Gunners have struggled to break down teams that defend in a low block, and that again was the case as they failed to muster a shot on target in the first half.
Their performance lacked intensity, and with Wolves looking to slow the game down at every opportunity Arteta’s side struggled to create chances.
It took Saka’s excellent corner to force Johnstone into an error to open the scoring, and again a mistake from Mosquera for Arsenal to clinch all three points.
The home crowd were increasingly nervous – desperate for the title after three successive second-place finishes – and that tension transferred to the pitch as the Gunners retreated, trying to protect their lead.
They were almost made to pay, and with a late goal conceded against Aston Villa last week in the Premier League, supporters and Arteta would have feared the same fate.
Arsenal have been excellent for large parts of the season but have wobbled recently with draws against Chelsea and Sunderland and the loss to Villa in their past six league games.
Arteta is a demanding character and he and his squad need to find a way to deal with the pressure of a title challenge – the scrutiny and intensity will only grow as the season wears on.
