Arsenal Strikes Late To Claim Three Points Against Wolves
Arsenal scored two late goals to claim a come-from-behind 2-1 Premier League victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium.
The hosts started with Alexandre Lacazette up front, supported by the returning Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka on the flanks. Wolves had Raul Jimenez, Hee-Chan Hwang and Daniel Podence in attack as they looked to cause an upset against an inspired Arsenal side.
Arsenal started brightly and saw a penalty appeal turned down inside the first minute when Nelson Semedo tangled with Martinelli. However, Wolves then struck after an error by Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes. Hee-chan latched onto a backpass by Magalhaes and rounded goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale before slotting into the empty net.
The Gunners came back strong after conceding and created numerous chances in the first half, but they were frustrated by a combination of poor shooting and heroic Wolves defending, with Saiss, Coady and Kilman making crucial blocks to deny Saka and Lacazette.
Bruno Lage’s side, who were seeking to avenge their 1-0 loss to Arsenal at Molineux two weeks ago, were determined to keep the lead as the referee blew the halftime whistle.
In the second half, Arsenal looked the better side as they looked for a way back into the match against a tough Wolves defense. However in the 82nd minute, substitutes Nicolas Pepe and Eddie Nketiah combined to give Arsenal a deserved equaliser. Pepe turned smartly and fired past goalkeeper Jose Sa from Nketiah’s cut-back to score.
It was the Ivorian’s first Premier League goal of the season and it couldn’t have come at a more important time.
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The hosts continued to press for the winning goal and they were rewarded in the 5th minute of extra time thanks to a brilliant piece of play.
Lacazette forced in the goal as his close-range strike bounced in off the Wolves goalkeeper after a move by Martin Oedegaard and Pepe found the Frenchman.
The goal was eventually given as an own-goal by Jose Sa, however, Arsenal would accept any goal to claim all three points against a resilient Wolves side.
The victory ensured Arsenal moved up to fifth on the Premier League table, a point off Manchester United with two games in hand.
“When you win the match after going 1-0 down, and you know what it means against Wolves, it is really difficult but we did it. A really important win for this,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said after the match.
“We don’t know today how important this will be but we know the importance of winning our matches and certainly at home we know we have to be extremely good. At the end of May we want to be fighting for those places.”
Arsenal’s next Premier League game is away to Watford on Sunday, while Wolves travel to West Ham on Sunday.
Chidi Nwoke/Premier League.
