Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Martinelli, Madueke, Gyokeres
Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Jesus, Eze, Norgaard, Trossard, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly
Arsenal suffered a major blow to their Premier League title hopes after drawing 2-2 against Wolves at Molineux – despite being two goals up – after goals from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie.
Mikel Arteta made seven changes from the side that cruised past Wigan last time out with Gabriel, Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres all coming into the team.
Bukayo Saka was given the nod in midfield after his impressive FA Cup performance, although Eberechi Eze would have to settle for a place on the bench.
FIRST HALF
It was a dream start for Arsenal in the pouring rain, who took the lead within five minutes when Bukayo Saka was on hand – inside the six yard box! – to head in Declan Rice’s teasing cross from close range. 0-1.
An early goal was always going to be important for the Gunners who nearly doubled their lead through Rice minutes later, but he curled wide after Wolves gave the ball away sloppily in their own third.
Arteta’s men continued to push down Wolves’ right hand side and Madueke was next to try his luck after Viktor Gyokeres did well to cut the ball back, but Jose Sa was equal to the effort before getting up quickly to deny Gabriel Martinelli on the rebound.
Madueke headed another deep cross wide but despite their dominance (and early lead), Arsenal struggled to find an extra gear during the first half and were happy to pass the ball sideways and lump hopeful crosses into the box.
Wolves did drop into a deep block after their chaotic start and grew into the game which made things difficult for the visitors, with their first attempt coming in injury time when Andre fired just past the post.
There was also a late penalty shout for Arsenal when Andre fouled Piero Hincapie but there wasn’t enough to overturn the on-field decision despite the Brazilian midfielder lunging in clumsily.
SECOND HALF
Neither manager made a half time change and the previous pattern of the game continued, with both sides struggling to string passes together in terrible conditions.
If anything, Wolves looked more dangerous with Armstrong shooting over from distance before William Saliba was needed to intercept a dangerous cross after Bellegarde did well to run in behind.
But straight up the other end, Arsenal doubled their lead and it came from the unlikeliest of sources when Gabriel found Hincapie sneaking in behind the Wolves defence, before controlling and finishing brilliantly under pressure from Mosquera. 0-2.
Many would’ve considered that the moment for Arsenal to stamp their authority on the game and against the league’s bottom team, but those hopes were dashed almost instantly when Hugo Bueno found himself free on the edge of the box and curled a lovely strike past Raya and into the top corner. 1-2.
Just after the hour mark, Arteta reacted to that Wolves goal by bringing on Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Jesus for Madueke and Gyokeres who had lost their way in the game slightly.
But Wolves had their tails up and were looking to push forward themselves although there was a sight of goal for Martinelli after good work from Jesus, but the Brazilian was offside and his shot was saved by Jose Sa anyway.
Instead, there were two worrying moments for Arteta’s men when Saka was taken off (and replaced by Leandro Trossard) after taking an awkward whack to the knee, before Gabriel went down after a hefty blow to the head but was deemed well enough to continue.
Wolves didn’t create anything of note during the final 20 minutes but Arsenal were frustratingly sloppy, lacking composure on the ball and making stupid decisions that kept inviting their opponents back into the game – when they should’ve been out of sight.
But you’re never secure in the Premier League with a one-goal lead and Arteta’s men paid the ultimate price when a miscommunication between Raya and Gabriel allowed Edozie to fire at goal, with the ball ricocheting off Riccardo Calafiori – off the post – back off Calafiori and into the net for a 94th minute equaliser. 2-2.
Wolves scored both of their shots on target but this was a horrible performance and Arsenal deserved this sucker punch for a poorly managed game, but an especially miserable second half. Their domestic form has been stuttering for weeks and this result was coming.
Eze had a half chance after the equaliser but miscued wide, before a scrap broke out on the pitch after the full time whistle, which leads to more questions about the mental state of this group and how ready they are to handle pressure.
Arsenal are five points clear but that could easily become two this weekend when Manchester City host Newcastle – with the Gunners travelling to their North London rivals.