Tom Edozie scored the late equaliser as Wolves came from behind to draw 2-2 with Premier League leaders Arsenal.placeholder image
Tom Edozie scored the late equaliser as Wolves came from behind to draw 2-2 with Premier League leaders Arsenal. | Wolves via Getty Images
Premier League result, player ratings and report after Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Arsenal.
The Old Gold proved they still have plenty left to fight for at the foot of the table, responding brilliantly in the second half to earn a 2-2 draw under the lights.
Arsenal looked on track for an easy three points when Bukayo Saka opened the scoring just five minutes in. The England international, fielded as an auxiliary number 10, ended his 15-game goal drought - the longest of his career so far - to score the opener after just five minutes, nodding through Jose Sa’s legs from a Declan Rice cross.
Piero Hincapie then doubled the Gunners’ lead through Piero Hincapie, who toe-poked into the roof of the net after latching onto a Gabriel through pass after half time. The linesman's flag was raised to begin with, so the goal didn't stand, but VAR rightfully intervened.
What followed was simply sensational, as Hugo Bueno netted his first-ever Premier League goal to make it 2-1. It was a tremendous strike from the left wing-back as he curled into the top left-hand corner from the edge of the area, giving David Raya no chance.
It was then an inspired substitution from Rob Edwards, as Edozie came on for his debut and scored the all-important equaliser just 10 minutes later, sending the Molineux faithful wild deep in stoppage time. Raya and Gabriel had a mix-up in the Arsenal box and Edozie took advantage, striking in off the post via a hefty Riccardo Calafiori deflection.
Rob Edwards admitted post-match that he was upset by some of the fans’ jeering in the first half but he was seriously impressed by his players’ determination to put things right. Edozie, who didn’t expect to make his debut let alone score the equalising goal, encapsulated the raw fight and desire from the Old Gold.
Wolves player ratings vs Arsenal
Tom Edozie scored the late equaliser as Wolves came from behind to draw 2-2 with Premier League leaders Arsenal.placeholder image
Tom Edozie scored the late equaliser as Wolves came from behind to draw 2-2 with Premier League leaders Arsenal. | Wolves via Getty Images
Jose Sa: Went to ground early to allow Hincapie to fire into the roof of the net for 2-0. Spilt Madueke’s shot in the first half, too, nearly allowing Martinelli to score on the rebound. Made a couple of decent saves to save his rating. 6
Jackson Tchatchoua: Had a sloppy game as he was caught out of position on several occasions. Failed to deal with Hincapie on the underlap ahead of the Arsenal defender’s goal. Lacked accuracy with his crosses. 5
Yerson Mosquera: Brave all night long. Had a great battle with Martinelli, often beating the Arsenal winger in his duels. Hurled in lots of long throws but to no avail. Won over the crowd with a big tackle on Jesus at the end. 8
Santiago Bueno: Made several important blocks to stop Arsenal from squaring or crossing the ball. Set up Hugo’s goal with some effective play out from the back. Saw yellow for dissent in the first half. 8
Ladislav Krejci: Struggled defensively in the first half but sured up in the second. Played a key role in Wolves’ build-up play from the back. 7
Hugo Bueno: Netted a screamer to open his Premier League account but played Hincapie onside for Arsenal’s second goal. A mixed game, but the goal takes precedence. 8
Andre: Really struggled to get a grip of the game at the base of midfield as the likes of Rice and Zubimendi outplayed him. Andre needs to better his consistency. 5
Angel Gomes (off 22’): Could only manage a quarter of the game as he was forced off through a knock. 6
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (off 84’): Unable to affect the game from the wide right as he would have hoped. Booked for a sloppy foul on Zubimendi. 6
Mateus Mane: At fault for Saka’s goal as he lost concentration, doing up his socks and allowing the scorer to run away from him and head into the goal. Had one strong moment as he beat three Arsenal players for skill, but otherwise not quite at his stunning best. 6
Adam Armstrong: Didn’t play much of a part in Wolves’ comeback, only attempting one shot. That one was decent as he fired just over from distance, but Armstrong needed to get more involved. 6
Tolu Arokodare (on 22’): Completed merely five passes in nearly 80 minutes of football, including stoppage time. That’s woeful, quite frankly. 4
Rodrigo Gomes (on 70’): Gave Wolves a lift with some energy and creativity down the right. 7
Tom Edozie (on 84’): Made the impact of all impacts, scoring the equaliser with an instinctive finish. 8
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