In a stunning turn of events, Arsenal managed to secure a dramatic win against a luckless Wolverhampton Wanderers team, thanks to a last-gasp own goal from Yerson Mosquera. The match, which was expected to be a straightforward win for the Premier League leaders, turned out to be a nail-biting encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Wolves, who had endured a dismal league record, with only two points from 15 matches, were given little chance of winning, with bookmakers offering odds of 28-1. However, the team's 3,000 traveling fans, who had taken up their full ticket allocation, were rewarded with a spirited performance from their team. Despite the odds, Wolves scrapped and confounded, making the match feel like the shock result of the season.
Arsenal, on the other hand, were horribly off their game, with fatigue and complacency seemingly affecting their performance. The team's play was slow and predictable, with little going right in open play. Even the usually reliable Bukayo Saka struggled to make an impact, despite his best efforts. The Emirates Stadium, normally a fortress for Arsenal, was strangely flat and subdued, particularly in the first half.
However, Arsenal's fortunes changed on 70 minutes, when Saka sent over an inswinger from the right, which Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone misread, allowing the ball to bounce back and hit him, resulting in an own goal. The goal seemed to spark Wolves into life, and they rebelled against the deficit, pushing hard for an equalizer.
In the 89th minute, Wolves substitute Tolu Arokodare, who had come off the bench, flashed a header past David Raya, after a cross from Mateus Mané. The goal was initially credited to Mané, but it was Arokodare who had gotten in front of Piero Hincapié to score. The equalizer seemed to have earned Wolves a deserved point, but Arsenal had other plans.
In stoppage time, Arsenal substitute Gabriel Jesus challenged in front of goal, and the ball flew in off the head of Yerson Mosquera, resulting in another own goal. The defender lay supine on the ground, devastated, as Arsenal celebrated a dramatic win. The relief for Arsenal was palpable, as they had avoided a second consecutive defeat, following their 2-1 loss at Aston Villa the previous Saturday.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was relieved but critical of his team's performance, saying, "We had a period of two or three minutes [being] deep, totally passive, with horrible defensive habits. That is nowhere near the level that is required. 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."
Despite the defeat, Wolves showed a marked improvement in their performance, setting an extraordinarily low bar with their display in the 4-1 home defeat against Manchester United last Monday. The team's commitment was evident, especially in the duels, with Emmanuel Agbadou, Toti, and João Gomes standing out. Arsenal, on the other hand, were terrible in the first half, with their play slow and predictable.
The match highlighted the importance of winning ugly, a hallmark of champion teams. Arsenal's victory, although unconvincing, kept them top of the Premier League, with a two-point lead over Manchester City, who visit Crystal Palace on Sunday. As Arteta noted, "We made it even harder with what we did in the manner that we conceded the goal. That's unacceptable." Arsenal will need to improve their performance if they are to maintain their lead at the top of the table.
The dramatic win will be a relief for Arsenal fans, who had been worried about their team's recent form. The match also highlighted the importance of perseverance and determination, as Wolves pushed hard for an equalizer despite the odds being against them. As the Premier League season enters its crucial phase, teams will need to show the same level of commitment and spirit if they are to achieve their goals.
In conclusion, the match between Arsenal and Wolves was a thrilling encounter that highlighted the importance of perseverance and determination. Despite the odds being against them, Wolves pushed hard for an equalizer, but ultimately fell short. Arsenal's win, although unconvincing, kept them top of the Premier League, and they will need to improve their performance if they are to maintain their lead at the top of the table.
Original: The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Written by Npsports
