Arsenal surrender two-goal lead as bottom-placed Wolves snatch dramatic draw
Arsenal missed the chance to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League on Wednesday night as they surrendered a two-goal lead in a dramatic 2-2 draw away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Mikel Arteta’s side looked to have done the hard work at Molineux after Bukayo Saka marked his new contract with an early opener before Piero Hincapie doubled the advantage shortly after the break.
However, the league’s bottom club refused to go quietly, and Wolves struck twice in the final half-hour to land a damaging blow on Arsenal’s title hopes.
Saka gave the Gunners the perfect start, heading in Declan Rice’s cross in the fifth minute to end a 15-game goal drought in all competitions.
Arsenal dominated possession for long periods and largely kept Wolves pinned back, with the hosts offering little threat in the first half.
The visitors were rewarded again 11 minutes into the second period when Hincapie finished smartly after being picked out by Gabriel Magalhaes, seemingly putting Arsenal in complete control.
Yet the contest shifted almost immediately when Saka required treatment and was eventually withdrawn, with Arsenal losing their grip as Wolves sensed an opening.
Hugo Bueno sparked the comeback in the 61st minute with a superb curling strike that flew beyond David Raya and into the top corner.
Wolves grew in belief as the game wore on, and Arsenal’s composure began to crack under increasing pressure and a hostile atmosphere.
The equaliser arrived deep into stoppage time in chaotic fashion, with Arsenal failing to deal with a high ball into the box.
Raya and Gabriel both collided as they attempted to clear, and 19-year-old substitute Tom Edozie took advantage, slamming a shot that struck Riccardo Calafiori and went in off the post.
Arsenal were left stunned, with the draw cutting into their advantage at the summit and allowing Manchester City to close in with a game in hand.
It was a night that summed up the fine margins in a title race, as Arsenal produced long spells of control but could not finish the job against a side rooted to the foot of the table.
The Gunners remain in contention across multiple competitions, but this was a significant missed opportunity in their pursuit of a first league title since 2004.
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