Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points on Saturday, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over bottom-club Wolverhampton Wanderers courtesy of two own goals.
Mikel Arteta’s side, looking to bounce back from their unbeaten run ending at Aston Villa last weekend, struggled to break down a resolute Wolves defence for much of the contest. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 70th minute when Bukayo Saka’s inswinging corner struck the far post and rebounded off goalkeeper Sam Johnstone’s back into the net, handing the hosts a fortunate lead.
Despite controlling possession, the Gunners failed to put the game to bed and were punished in the 90th minute. Substitute Tolu Arokodare, capitalising on a period of passive defending from the hosts, beat David Raya with a glancing header from a Matheus Mané cross to level the score.
The goal stunned the Emirates Stadium and appeared to secure a vital point for Rob Edwards’ struggling side, who remain winless after 16 games this season. "The first time that they had the opportunity to do it, they scored the goal. And that's the Premier League," Arteta noted regarding the equaliser.
However, the drama wasn't over. In the 94th minute, Arsenal found a winner deep into stoppage time. Saka delivered another dangerous cross into the box towards substitute Gabriel Jesus, but under pressure, Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera inadvertently headed the ball into his own net.
The late heartbreak consigned Wolves to their 10th consecutive loss in all competitions, leaving them on just two points; a joint-record low at this stage of a top-flight campaign.
Mikel Arteta expressed relief at the result but was critical of his team's defensive application in the closing stages. "We had a period of two or three minutes in deep, totally passive, with horrible defensive habits nowhere near the level that is required against a team that hasn't had a single shot," Arteta said.
"We are relieved because we managed to score a goal at the end and go on winning. But we need to improve in that sense for sure. We made it even harder with what we did in the manner that we conceded the goal. That’s unacceptable."
For Wolves, the result was a cruel blow after a spirited defensive performance that limited Arsenal to zero shots on target in the first half. Manager Rob Edwards lamented the nature of the defeat, which saw his team concede three goals on the night but score only one for themselves.
"In the end luck decided the game and it was bad luck," Edwards reflected. "The lads gave everything, and I am proud of a lot of it, but it hurts. If someone said to me that at the beginning, we're gonna score three tonight, I’d say I’d take that. It was bizarre circumstances."