Wolves 2-2 Arsenal: Gunners drop points in stoppage time against bottom side

Leaders Arsenal blew a 2-0 lead to draw at rock-bottom Wolves and miss the chance to go seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Match Report

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring with a header from point blank range to end his 15-game wait to get back on the scoresheet, his longest goalless run in a Gunners’ shirt, before Piero Hincapié doubled the advantage after half time.

Yet Hugo Bueno provided a lifeline with a brilliant curling effort before David Raya dropped the ball in the box and substitute Tom Edozie’s shot struck the post and rolled in off of Ricardo Calafiori.

Arsenal hadn’t scored in the opening five minutes of a top flight game for two years, but took immediate control of proceedings when Declan Rice was given far too much time to bend an accurate cross into Saka.

The England international weaved his way into the six yard box undetected and headed under the body of home goalkeeper José Sá and into the net in for his eighth goal in all competitions this season.

Rice then went close to a second just three minutes later after Wolves conceded possession too easily inside their own half and the midfielder was fed the ball by Viktor Gyökeres, but curled his low effort wide.

Rob Edwards suffered a blow as new signing Angel Gomes hobbled off injured part-way through the first half, to compound the fact his side had mustered next to nothing in the final third.

It took the hosts 46 minutes to register a shot on target as Andre shot wide from the edge of the box, moments before penalty appeals were waived away for his challenge on Hincapié after a swift counter-attack.

Wolves made a much brighter start to the second half, and new signing Adam Armstrong wasn’t far from a spectacular equalizer when he fired a powerful strike from range just over the bar with his left foot.

But their spell was seemingly short lifted as left-back Hincapié delayed his run in behind the home side’s defense onto Gabriel’s through ball and blasted a shot past Sá and into the roof of the net, yet the flag raised for offside.

The video assistant referee took its time to review the footage, and eventually ruled that the assistant referee’s call was in error before reinstating the Ecuadorian’s goal.

But two of Wolves’ Buenos combined on the hour mark to haul them back into the game, as centre-back Santiago found left wing-back Hugo and the Spaniard curled home brilliantly with his left foot.

The visitors had their tails up at times with the end of the game approaching and did their best to run the clock down, but it would be made irrelevant as Gabriel competed for the same cross with his goalkeeper Raya.

Arsenal’s number one dropped the ball, allowing substitute Edozie the chance to lash a shot towards goal, which struck the post and rebounded off of Calafiori and into the net to stun the Gunners.

It meant Arteta’s side missed the opportunity to go seven points clear at the top of the league, and that Manchester City could go within just two with a victory away to Leeds at the weekend.

Wolves remained rooted to the foot of the table, 17 points behind Nottingham Forest, but certainly took some enjoyment from causing the latest dramatic twist in the title race.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

5' Saka heads home a clever Rice cross to fire Gunners in front! Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

8' That is close from Declan Rice

17' Big chance for Martinelli but very poor execution

23' Saka goes down in the ground

25' Gyokeres heads the ball,over the bar

34' Madueke's header wide out

44' Long ride form Saka

45' There is heavy snow locally

53' Armstrong lashes shot from outside box just over

56' GOAL! Piero Hincapié fires in from left side of box. Wolves 0-2 Arsenal

61' GOAL! Bueno curls into far corner. Wolves 1-2 Arsenal

64' Jesus and Eze on for Gyokeres and Madueke

67' Martinelli turns and volleys, keeper blocks with leg

72' Saka injured in challenge, medics attend

73' Trossard on for Saka

78' Gabriel suffers head injury after Armstrong clash, medics attend

87' Martinelli crosses, defender blocks out for corner

90' Match Event for Wolves vs Arsenal

Line-ups

Wolves XI: Jose Sa, Adam Armstrong, Santiago Bueno, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Angel Gomes, Ladislav Krejci, Hugo Bueno, Yerson Mosquera, André, Jackson Tchatchoua, Mateus Mané

Subs: Doherty, Sam Johnstone, David Møller Wolfe, Tolu Arokodare, João Gomes, Rodrigo Gomes, Pedro Lima, Luke Rawlings, Tom Edozie

Arsenal XI: David Raya, Rice, Viktor Gyökeres, Gabriel, Martín Zubimendi, Martinelli, Saliba, Saka, Madueke, Timber, Hincapie

Subs: Christian Nørgaard, Trossard, Kepa, Jesus, Ben White, Eberechi Eze, Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly