Arsenal 2-1 Wolves

Arsenal returned to winning ways in rather unspectacular version yesterday with a 2-1 win over Wolves at the Emirates. Three goals were scored in the match and none came from the boots or head of an Arsenal but it was a champion’s win yesterday as they forced the goals regardless to secure all three points. They went up through a Sam Johnstone own goal in the 70th minute before Nigerian international, Tolu Arokodare gave Wolves a shock equalizer in the last few minutes of the second half, it looked like Wolves would leave with something but another Bukayo Saka cross was deflected into the net by Yerson Mosquera just 4 minutes later to give the Gunners a crucial win.

Viktor Gyokeres started up top in Arsenal’s 433, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka flanking him to his left and right respectively. Hwang Hee-chan and Jorgen Strand Larsen were the two up top in Wolves’ 352 formation with David Moller Wolfe and Matt Doherty playing left and right wingback respectively.

From minute 1, the atmosphere at the Emirates was charged with expectation, yet the opening exchanges quickly settled into a pattern of frustration for the hosts. Despite Arsenal’s dominance in possession, they struggled to break down a resolute Wolves defense, and the first significant moment of danger actually came from the visitors. It wasn’t until the 27th minute that the game truly ignited, and it was a moment that nearly stunned the home crowd.

Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan managed to break away cleanly from inside his own half, surging forward in a blistering counter-attack that left the Arsenal high line exposed. Racing towards goal with only the keeper to beat, Hwang looked certain to open the scoring. He fired a strike straight at David Raya, but the Arsenal goalkeeper stood tall, making an absolutely crucial block to deny the one-on-one opportunity and keep the scores level at 0–0.

The drama escalated just three minutes later, compounding Arsenal’s early difficulties. In the 30th minute, defender Ben White, who had been sprinting back in an attempt to chase down Hwang during the earlier break, suddenly pulled up with a hamstring injury. It was immediately clear he could not continue, forcing Mikel Arteta into an unwanted early substitution. The tactical reshuffle saw White depart, replaced by the young Myles Lewis-Skelly and necessitating a shift involving Piero Hincapié to CB to cover the defensive gap.

Tensions boiled over almost immediately after the injury blow. In the same minute, Hwang Hee-chan was involved again, this time for a heavy sliding tackle on Myles Lewis-Skelly. The challenge drew the ire of the Arsenal bench, with Mikel Arteta furious on the touchline. The Arsenal manager vehemently argued for a red card, gesturing to the officials, but the referee remained unmoved, issuing only a yellow card to the Wolves forward.

As the half wore on, Arsenal attempted to turn the screw. In the 37th minute, Bukayo Saka, looking to spark his team into life, whipped in a dangerous cross from the right flank. The ball flashed tantalizingly across the face of the goal. Viktor Gyökeres, lurking in the middle, missed the connection, and the ball traveled through to Gabriel Martinelli at the back post. Martinelli looked poised to score, but his effort was heroically blocked behind by Wolves defender Matt Doherty, denying a certain goal.

Frustration continued to mount for the Gunners as halftime approached. In the 42nd minute, amidst sustained Arsenal pressure, Martinelli found himself with another shooting opportunity. However, the Brazilian winger curled his shot wide of the post, a wayward effort that failed to test the goalkeeper and symbolized Arsenal’s lack of cutting edge in the first 45 minutes.

Just before the break, in stoppage time, Wolves nearly snatched the lead again. Jørgen Strand Larsen unleashed a powerful, goal-bound strike that looked destined for the net. It required a brilliant recovery from Piero Hincapié to block the shot and ensure the teams went into the break level. The halftime whistle blew with the score at 0–0, a worrying stat line for Arsenal showing they had failed to register a single shot on target in the entire first half.

The second half began with Arsenal showing renewed intent. Early in the period, Declan Rice attempted to break the deadlock with an audacious free-kick. The effort was dipping dangerously, brushing the fingertips of Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone before sailing just over the bar, a near miss that signaled Arsenal’s desperation to score.

By the 57th minute, Arteta had seen enough of his side’s offensive stagnation. Unhappy with the lack of creativity, he made a decisive triple substitution. Gabriel Martinelli, Eberechi Eze, and Martin Zubimendi were all withdrawn. In their place, the captain Martin Ødegaard, Leandro Trossard, and Mikel Merino entered the fray, tasked with unlocking the Wolves defense. The changes began to take effect, and in the 66th minute, Arsenal finally registered their first shot on target. Declan Rice fired a low drive towards the bottom corner, forcing a smart save from Johnstone to keep the game scoreless.
Minutes later, in the 68th minute, Viktor Gyökeres did well to muscle his way into a shooting position, creating space for himself inside the box. However, his finish lacked precision, and he dragged the shot wide of the post, adding to the growing anxiety inside the stadium.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 70th minute, though it came through fortuitous circumstances rather than brilliance. Bukayo Saka curled an inswinging corner towards the goalmouth. The ball struck the back post, rebounded out, hit the back of the unfortunate Sam Johnstone, and trickled across the line into the net. It was a lucky break, but Arsenal had their 1–0 lead.

Looking to seal the game, Arteta made another change in the 81st minute, bringing on Gabriel Jesus for a struggling Gyökeres to provide fresh energy for the final stretch. Wolves manager Rob Edwards responded in the 85th minute, throwing caution to the wind with attacking substitutions. Tolu Arokodare, Mateus Mane, and Jhon Arias were introduced as Wolves tried desperately to salvage a point.
The gamble paid off in the 90th minute with a shock equalizer. Substitute Mateus Mane delivered a precise cross into the Arsenal box. Tolu Arokodare rose highest, planting a firm header past David Raya to stun the Emirates crowd and level the match at 1–1.

Just as it seemed Arsenal would drop crucial points, the game took one final, dramatic twist in the 94th minute. Deep in stoppage time, Saka sent another teasing cross from the right, aiming for Gabriel Jesus in the center. Under immense pressure from the Brazilian forward, Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera inadvertently headed the ball into his own net. The own goal sparked wild relief for Arsenal and heartbreak for Wolves, securing a dramatic 2–1 victory at the death.