A late own goal by Yerson Mosquera handed Arsenal a dramatic 2-1 victory over a luckless Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The win sends the Gunners five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
The match was a tale of two own goals, with Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone also putting the ball into his own net earlier in the game. Substitute Tolu Arokodare's 90th-minute header appeared to have snatched a point for the visitors, canceling out Johnstone's own goal. However, Mosquera's unfortunate intervention in the 94th minute secured all three points for Arsenal.
The game was a frustrating affair for Arsenal, who struggled to break down a resolute Wolves defense. Until the 67th minute, the Gunners failed to register a single shot on target. Declan Rice's curler was pushed away by Johnstone, foreshadowing the struggles Arsenal would face. Arsenal's breakthrough came in the 70th minute in an odd fashion. Bukayo Saka's inswinging corner bounced off the far post, hitting Johnstone's shoulder before finding the net.
Wolves, despite their difficult league position, showed resilience and threatened Arsenal's goal on multiple occasions. Hwang Hee-chan forced a save from David Raya in the first half, signaling Wolves' attacking intent. In the 90th minute, their persistence paid off when Arokodare headed home a cross from Mateus Mane, seemingly earning his team a valuable point. The goal was a result of combination play between four substitutes, as Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias contributed to the build-up.
However, Wolves' joy was short-lived. In the dying moments of the game, Saka's cross was inadvertently headed into his own net by Mosquera under pressure from Gabriel Jesus, sparking wild celebrations among the Arsenal players and fans.
The victory was crucial for Arsenal, who now sit five points ahead of Manchester City, albeit having played a game more. For Wolves, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, leaving them potentially 16 points adrift of safety by the end of the weekend. Despite the loss, Wolves received applause from their travelling fans, acknowledging their fighting spirit. Arsenal's ability to find a way to win, even when not at their best, highlights their resilience and determination.
