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Rob Edwards’ face clapping says it all wolves Supporters in the Emirates. Premier LeagueThe bottom side were moments away from only their third point of the season, away from the leaders, only to be denied as their second own goal of the night handed them their ninth consecutive defeat.
There was pride in how Wolves fought back and eventually equalized with Tolu Arokodare’s stoppage-time header. But looking at the Yerson Mosquera hurts, hurts a lot bukayo saka‘s cross was caught in his own net and the Wolves players collapsed on the field as if the strings had been cut.
Late play changed everything armory in a heartbeat. At the end of a disappointing display they were headed for a valuable three points, which was fortunately saved by a Sam Johnstone own goal as Saka’s inswinging corner hit the post and bounced off his back. Most people leaving the Emirates would have shrugged their shoulders, said something about a seventh game in 21 days and moved on. Instead, blowing it, then winning it moments later, gives Arsenal a free week and a huge boost for the trip to Everton next Saturday.
“Today it went our way, so we’ll take the points and move on,” Saka said. “It was frustrating at times, to be honest, but we got our reward. Now we’ve got next week off and we’ll enjoy it.”
He was a threat, a player Wolves couldn’t shut down, while Arsenal were floundering and struggling for flow. And when Arsenal needed it, Saka provided quality due to the consistency of his delivery from set-pieces and open play. Even as Arteta was sifting through options looking for improvement, there was no question that Saka would remain.
Before Saturday night, Arsenal had won 10 of the 11 matches they had played at the Emirates this season. Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur were among those who parted ways. However, not wolves. Only Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were as effective in frustrating and slowing down Arsenal as the rock-bottom team in the Premier League managed here.
There was clear frustration among Arteta, there was frustration among his players too. Martin Zubimendi was so integral in sparking Arteta’s demand, he covered his face immediately after being subbed off as part of a timely triple Arsenal change. By then, Arsenal lacked their usual power and flow. Arsenal had no shots on target until the 66th minute and the passes needed to beat Wolves were hurried and inaccurate. Zubimendi couldn’t hide it.
The breakthrough came from a set-piece but the relief Arteta felt was almost belied by what happened after. In particular, Arteta was left fuming two or three minutes before Wolves’ equaliser, as Arsenal fell further down in response to the visitors’ openings. The bottom side of the Premier League had presented no threat but Arteta was frustrated by how passive his players became when they had to defend on the edge of their box. “We made it difficult for ourselves with the way we conceded goals and that was unacceptable,” Arteta said. “Terrible defensive habits. It was nowhere near the level required.”
And if this was a glimpse of how Arsenal will respond to the pressure of the title race after conceding a late goal In the defeat at Aston Villa last weekendSo Arteta didn’t like it. “That’s the big lesson we have to learn,” he concluded. But what happened? Arsenal fell short against a team whose confidence should have been on the ground.
Arteta felt Arsenal had stopped trying to play. “The first time he got a chance to do it, he scored a goal and that’s the problem,” he lamented. “We are relieved because we were able to score a goal in the end and get the win, but we need to improve in that respect.”
Of course, the method was brutal on Wolves, crushing for Mosquera. Gabriel Jesus looked to be on the end of Saka’s cross and Mosquera was caught in his own net.
“In the end fate decided the game and it was bad luck,” Edwards said. “The boys gave everything, and I’m very proud of it, but it hurts. It was bad luck, but they earn it. If someone told me at the start, we’re going to score three tonight, I’d say I’ll take it. It was bizarre circumstances.”
