Arsenal 2-1 Wolves: Late, late drama as Gunners somehow get over the line

A late winner was the difference between table toppers Arsenal and rock-bottom Wolves 

A 94th minute goal was enough to spare the Gunners blushes and secure a vital three points against rock bottom side Wolves, who had defended obdurately throughout a close contest.

An own goal from Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone with 20 minutes remaining looked to be enough to break the hearts of the relegation-stricken visitors- who had battled valiantly against the Premier League leaders on Saturday evening in North London.

Rob Edwards and Mikel Arteta are still on a social media chat group together, dating back to their time sharing a UEFA Pro Licence course in Newport nine years ago, but the Arsenal boss would probably be better advised to avoid messaging his old pal for a few days, at least until the raw pain caused by the Gunners late goal subsides ever so slightly.

For Edwards’ Wolves had frustrated Arsenal for long spells, with keeper Johnstone at the forefront of such a determined rearguard action.

However, football can be cruel.

While a whopping 31 points separated table toppers Arsenal and rock-bottom Wolves, with the Gunners winning their last eight clashes with Molineux outfit, outscoring their visitors from the Black Country by 17 goals to two in the process - the match appeared to be heading for a stalemate, which would have severely damaged the home side’s title hopes.

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William Saliba made a welcome return to Arsenal’s backline, for the first time since the 3-1 win over Bayern Munich in November, having recovered from an ankle problem.

With Riccardo Calafiori suspended, and Arteta not opting to utilise Myles Lewis-Skelly, the talented French defender played alongside Jurrien Timber at centre-back, while Piero Hincapie moved across to left-back, with Ben White keeping his place at right-back.

Viktor Gyokeres kept his place as striker despite mounting criticism about his goals tally.

Rob Edwards made three changes from the Wolves side which started Monday’s miserable 4-1 defeat to Manchester United.

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde missed out with a hamstring injury after scoring in that game, while Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias dropped to the bench. In came Matt Doherty, Joao Gomes and Hee-Chan Hwang.

Open Play FC or Set Piece FC? Prior to kick-off Arsenal’s last 11 league goals had all been from open play. While all three of their goals vs Bruges were also from open play, too.

On six minutes Jurrien Timber headed over the bar from captain Bukayo Saka’s cross when well placed. Arteta preferring Eberechie Eze to club skipper Martin Odegaard, who started on the bench.

Nine minutes later, Saka lifted the ball into the box, for Rice to head narrowly wide

On 25 minutes Saka glided past Wolves captain Toti into the box, but the cross was blocked. Edwards’ side won the ball back, and swept forward as Hwang-Hee-Chan powered through, before shooting low at David Raya, who saved. A wake up call for the Gunners.

On the half hour mark, White was forced off with injury, to be replaced by Lewis-Skelly on the half hour.

Moments later, Hincapie crossed into the box, as the ball was headed away. From the subsequent corner, Gabi Martinelli - a yard out - headed the ball across goal from Rice’s inswinging corner. The missed chance from such close range leaving Arteta with his head in his hands on the touchline.

Martinelli sliced his kick wide of Sam Johnstone’s left-hand post on 37 minutes as the home side pushed for an opener.

After the break Martinelli powered down the flank before firing low across Johnstone’s goal. The Brazil attacker lay prone with his face in the turf, knowing it was a serious chance he’d failed to take.

It was to prove his last action, as, with the score still goalless, and the crowd’s frustration starting to bubble up, Martinelli was replaced by Leo Trossard just before the hour mark.

In a triple substitution by Arteta, Eze was also replaced by Martin Odegaard after that particular idea failed to work against an obdurate Wolves side. While Zubimendi was switched for Mikel Merino as the home side desperately hunted that crucial goal.

On 65 minutes Rice fired narrowly over the bar, which on closer inspection saw keeper Johnstone touching the ball over the woodwork, to save his team.

Moments later the increasingly busy Johnstone tipped away Rice’s low curler from open play, to ensure the score remained goalless.

Just as it looked like keeper Johnstone was going to be the visitors hero, Saka’s corner flew over him, onto the bar, before bouncing off him and into the net.

Yet, just as the home support were about to cheer a 1-0 victory, Wolves pushed foward, and equalised in the 90th minute through substitute Tolu Arokdare, much to the delight of their travelling fans. 

That was before Jesus - who had replaced the misfiring Gyokeres - earlier - scored a last-gasp winner to make it 2-1, finally breaking Wolves resistance. 

Football can be cruel sometimes. Not that the home crowd cared as Arteta’s table-toppers sealed victory to once again move five points clear at the top.

Leaving the beleaguered - and bewildered - side in Old Gold winless in 20 Premier League games, losing their past nine in a row - both unwanted club records.