Sports
Arsenal’s top-four hopes receive major boost with dramatic win over Wolves
Arsenal left it late to come from behind and earn a memorable 2-1 victory over Wolves and ignite their bid to qualify for the Champions League.
Wolves went in front after just 10 minutes, but for the first time in 45 Premier League matches, they let a lead slip with a Jose Sa own goal in injury time the difference.
The Gunners almost got off to a blistering start but had strong appeals for a penalty waved away by Martin Atkinson in the first minute of play.
Wolves then did the ball in the net a few minutes later, with Romain Saiss’ deft finish ruled out for an offside.
But the visitors weren’t to be denied when Hwang Hee-chan intercepted Gabriel’s weak back pass and rounded Aaron Ramsdale to open the scoring in the 10th minute.
Following the concession of the early goal, Arsenal composed themselves to dominate much of the first half, with last-ditch Wolves blocks denying them.
Bruno Lage’s side had the first real chance of the second half when Hwang was freed by Daniel Podence, but the South Korean international was denied by Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal.
For all of their pressure, it looked like it would be a frustrating evening for Gunners, but with less than ten minutes to go, substitute Nicolas Pepe capped a wonderful move to bring the scores level.
And with just seconds to go Alexandre Lacazette’s shot was deflected in by a flailing arm from Wolves keeper Jose Sa to spark scenes of wild celebration inside the stadium.
The result means Arsenal are right on the shoulder of Manchester United, just one point with two games in hand.
When Wolves came to the Emirates and beat Arsenal in November 2020, it felt like a seminal moment in Arteta’s journey at the club.
There were calls for the inexperienced coach to be sacked, with the Gunners lacking a clear philosophy a year into his tenure.
This time around however, there is no doubt about Arsenal and the way in which they want to play football.
They are now a team defined by an intense, high-press, which caused Wolves plenty of problems during the opening 45 minutes.
To see the Mexican international back on the same Emirates pitch where he suffered his life threatening head injury offered a sense of perspective for both sides.
There were times in his recovery when there were genuine concerns he had played his final game of football.
But when the action started Jimenez would have only wanted his return to be punctuated by a Wolverhampton Wanderers victory.
It was his press which forced Gabriel’s error, but he missed a gilt-edged chance to double the lead when he screwed a shot wide when one-on-one with Ramsdale.
The late winner ensured Wolves were beaten after scoring the opener for the first time in 45 Premier League matches.
Better teams have come unstuck against this suffocating Wolves defence, but after plugging away for 96 minutes, they got their winner.
This is the kind of result that, if the Gunners are to get into the top four will be looked at as huge turning point.
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