Premier League
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 – 2 Arsenal FT
Leaders Arsenal blew a 2-0 lead in dramatic trend to attract at rock-bottom Wolves and missed the prospect to go seven factors clear on the prime of the Premier League.
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Gunners defender Riccardo Calafiori turned in debutant Tom Edozie’s shot within the fourth minute of added time for a late leveller after goalkeeper David Raya and centre-back Gabriel made a large number of clearing a excessive ball into the field.
Hugo Bueno had began Wolves’ comeback with a surprising curling effort after Bukayo Saka – together with his first purpose in 15 video games – and Piero Hincapie gave Arsenal what appeared a commanding lead.
The Gunners had management at Molineux as Bukayo Saka
The England ahead nodded in Declan Rice’s cross – only a day after signing a recent five-year deal on the Emirates – earlier than Hincapie added a 56th-minute second with a wise end from a Gabriel cross for his first purpose for the membership.
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But after Saka – who ended a 15-game purpose drought in all competitions – went off following therapy, Arsenal struggled below strain as Hugo Bueno pulled a purpose again with a surprising roller within the 61st minute.
Wolves pushed on the finish and when Gabriel received in the way in which as Raya tried to clear a cross, 19-year-old Edozie – on for his senior debut instead – slammed in a shot that struck Calafiori and went in off the submit.
Arsenal had been surprised, with tempers frayed on the finish after Gabriel Jesus shoved over Yerson Mosquera, as their lead over Manchester Metropolis is 5 factors, with Pep Guardiola’s aspect having a sport in hand.
It was a harmful evening for Mikel Arteta’s males of their quest for a primary league title since 2004.
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But they nonetheless stay within the hunt for a quadruple of trophies, additionally going through Metropolis in subsequent month’s Carabao Cup last, into the Champions League final 16 – having topped the league section – and FA Cup fifth spherical.
However this end result will as soon as extra spark doubts over Arsenal’s endurance, having completed second prior to now three successive seasons.
Arsenal are nonetheless to journey to title rivals Manchester Metropolis in April [Getty Images]
Wolves evaluation: Strugglers happening preventing
Regardless of being adrift on the backside and 17 factors from security, Wolves are nonetheless preventing and can nonetheless have a say in how this Premier League season finishes.
With an hour gone it was a really completely different situation as Arsenal led 2-0 and regarded on target to see out a cushty victory.
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However that’s when Wolves relaxed and started to play, Hugo Bueno scoring the purpose of the sport with a cracking effort.
Edozie’s dream leveller – {the teenager}’s first look in senior soccer marked by a primary purpose even when Calafiori performed his half – epitomised Wolves’ spirit.
That’s all they’d left – and needed to discover – below Rob Edwards, with the salvage operation already bleak when he changed Vitor Pereira in November.
They sensed an Arsenal collapse and scrapped their manner to a degree – one thing that was denied them at Emirates Stadium again in December when Mosquera’s Ninetieth-minute personal purpose gave the Gunners a 2-1 success.
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This level will matter to boss Edwards, the gamers and the Molineux trustworthy.
It has been a fractured place for a very long time through the first half of an sad season.
Unity has returned lately and refusing to surrender towards the leaders with a gutsy show will hearten Wolves as they put together for all times within the Championship and construct for a Premier League return on the first try.
Arsenal evaluation: Strain mounts on Gunners but once more
Arsenal’s lacklustre efficiency at Wolves has solely served to extend the nerves of supporters who’re hoping to see them finish their title drought.
Regardless of main by means of Saka’s close-range header – his first purpose since December – they lacked circulate in assault.
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Boss Arteta had once more picked Saka within the quantity 10 position quite than the wing after a formidable efficiency within the FA Cup win over Wigan – and it regarded as if that call had the specified impact to get his aspect’s frontline firing.
Nevertheless, regardless of getting a second purpose by means of Hincapie, Arsenal didn’t do sufficient, nor look snug sufficient to disclaim the battling hosts.
Substitute Calafiori solely got here on within the 93rd minute to bolster the backline, however inside a minute his contribution was a decisive involvement within the Wolves equaliser.
This was meant to be a routine win towards the league’s backside membership – one Arsenal had overwhelmed 9 successive occasions since 2021 and scored towards for a thirty seventh time on the trot in all competitions.
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Raya did not have a save to make within the first half, however Arsenal didn’t dominate as they need to and paid the value.
With video games towards London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea to observe, the Gunners discover themselves below a cloud of uncertainty and whether or not their title dream will flip into one other nightmare.
A visit to second-placed Manchester Metropolis will probably be one in every of their remaining 11 video games and Arteta and his squad should lastly present they will take care of the strain within the title run-in.
What’s subsequent for these groups?
Rob Edwards takes his Wolves aspect to Crystal Palace on Sunday, 22 February (14:00 GMT), earlier than internet hosting Aston Villa on Friday, 27 February (20:00 GMT).
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The north London derby at Tottenham awaits Arsenal on Sunday, 22 February (16:30 GMT) after which Chelsea go to the Emirates on Sunday, 1 March (16:30 GMT).
