Arsenal wasted a 2-0 advantage in dramatic style to tie at last-place Wolves and missed the opportunity to extend their lead to seven points atop the Premier League.
Gunners defender Riccardo Calafiori deflected Tom Edozie’s shot in the fourth minute of stoppage time to equalize late after goalkeeper David Raya and center-back Gabriel mishandled a high ball into the area.
Hugo Bueno initiated Wolves’ comeback with an impressive curling shot after Bukayo Saka netted his first goal in 15 matches, and Piero Hincapie provided Arsenal with what appeared to be a strong advantage.
The Gunners dominated at Molineux, with Bukayo Saka commemorating his new deal by scoring the opener in the fifth minute.
The England striker headed in Declan Rice’s cross—just a day after agreeing to a new five-year contract at the Emirates—before Hincapie scored a second in the 56th minute with a clever finish from a Gabriel assist for his initial goal with the team.
After Saka—who concluded a 15-match goal dry spell across all competitions—exited due to treatment, Arsenal faced difficulties under pressure as Hugo Bueno scored with a spectacular curler in the 61st minute.
Wolves pressed hard at the finish, and when Gabriel blocked Raya’s attempt to clear a cross, 19-year-old Edozie—making his senior debut as a substitute—powered a shot that hit Calafiori and deflected in off the post.
Arsenal were shocked, with emotions high at the finish after Gabriel Jesus pushed Yerson Mosquera, as their advantage over Manchester City stands at five points, with Pep Guardiola’s team having a match in hand.
It was a harmful evening for Mikel Arteta’s team in their pursuit of a first league championship since 2004.
However, they continue to pursue a quadruple of trophies, with a match against City in next month’s Carabao Cup final, advancing to the last 16 of the Champions League after finishing first in the group stage, and competing in the FA Cup fifth round.
This outcome will again raise questions about Arsenal’s durability, given that they have placed second in the last three consecutive seasons.
Even though they are at the bottom and 17 points away from safety, Wolves continue to battle and will influence the outcome of this Premier League season.
After an hour had passed, the situation changed significantly as Arsenal was ahead 2-0 and seemed poised to secure an easy win.
However, at that moment, Wolves calmed down and started playing, with Hugo Bueno netting the game’s standout goal through an impressive shot.
Edozie’s equalizer—the teen’s initial foray into senior football highlighted by a first goal, with Calafiori contributing—embodied the spirit of Wolves.
That was everything they had remaining—and needed to locate—under Rob Edwards, with the recovery effort already grim when he took over from Vitor Pereira in November.
They felt an Arsenal breakdown and fought for a point, which had eluded them at Emirates Stadium in December when Mosquera’s own goal in the 90th minute resulted in a 2-1 win for the Gunners.
This point will be significant to boss Edwards, the players, and the supporters at Molineux.
It has been a divided area for a long time throughout the initial part of a bleak season.
They continue to pursue a quadruple of trophies, are also set to face City in the upcoming Carabao Cup final, advanced to the Champions League last 16 after finishing first in the group stage, and are competing in the FA Cup fifth round.
However, this outcome will again raise questions about Arsenal’s durability, as they have secured second place for three consecutive seasons.
Even though they are stranded at the bottom and 17 points away from safety, Wolves continue to battle and will influence the outcome of this Premier League season.
After an hour had passed, the situation changed significantly as Arsenal was ahead 2-0 and appeared set to secure an easy win.
However, that was the moment Wolves eased up and started to perform, with Hugo Bueno netting the standout goal of the match through an impressive strike.
Edozie’s equalizer—the teenager’s debut in senior football highlighted by his initial goal, with Calafiori contributing—captured Wolves’ tenacity.
That was everything they had remaining—and needed to locate—under Rob Edwards, as the salvage mission was already grim when he took over from Vitor Pereira in November.
They felt an Arsenal breakdown and fought hard to earn a point—a result they were denied at Emirates Stadium in December when Mosquera’s own goal in the 90th minute handed the Gunners a 2-1 victory.
This aspect will be important to boss Edwards, the players, and the Molineux supporters.
For a long time, it has been a divided place during the initial half of a discontented season.
Unity has made a comeback lately and is not backing down against the leaders, showcasing a brave effort that will encourage Wolves as they gear up for life in the Championship and aim for a swift return to the Premier League.
Arsenal’s unimpressive display against Wolves has only escalated the anxieties of fans eager for them to conclude their title deficiency.
Even though they were ahead thanks to Saka’s close-range header—marking his first goal since December—their attacking play was lacking fluidity.
Manager Arteta once more selected Saka for the number 10 position instead of the wing following a standout display in the FA Cup victory against Wigan—and it appeared that this choice successfully lit a spark in his team’s attack.
Yet, although Hincapie scored a second goal, Arsenal failed to do enough and didn’t seem secure enough to prevent the determined home team.
Substitute Calafiori was introduced in the 93rd minute to strengthen the defense, yet just a minute later, he played a crucial role in the Wolves’ equalizer.
This was expected to be a standard victory over the league’s last-placed team—a club Arsenal had triumphed over nine times in a row since 2021 and found the net against for the 37th consecutive match in all tournaments.
Raya had no saves to make in the first half, yet Arsenal failed to dominate as expected and suffered the consequences.
Facing upcoming matches against London foes Tottenham and Chelsea, the Gunners are surrounded by uncertainty regarding whether their title aspirations will transform into yet another nightmare.
A visit to second-placed Manchester City will be among their final 11 matches, and Arteta and his team must prove they can handle the pressure during the title chase.
Rob Edwards’ Wolves take on Crystal Palace on Sunday, 22 February (14:00 GMT), before hosting Aston Villa on Friday, 27 February (20:00 GMT), while the north London derby at Tottenham awaits Arsenal on Sunday, 22 February (16:30 GMT), and then Chelsea visits the Emirates on Sunday, 1 March (16:30 GMT).
