On paper, there was only one winner in this clash between basement boys Wolves and league leaders Arsenal, and true to form, the Gunners hit the front early.
There was an element of simplicity to their opener, as Wolves afforded Declan Rice too much time on the edge of the area and Bukayo Saka ghosted into the area from his new central position and headed home his delivery.
Merely getting out of their own half was proving to be problematic for Wolves, and Arsenal’s unrelenting pressure almost yielded a second goal when a smart double save from Jose Sa first denied Noni Madueke and then Gabriel Martinelli.
An enforced change, as Angel Gomes was replaced by Tolu Arokodare, ought to have helped Wolves out in an attacking sense, but it had little material impact on how Rob Edwards’ men looked going forward.
By the time the fourth official held up the board to signal five minutes of stoppage time, the hosts hadn’t had a shot, but a pop-shot from distance from Andre, which trickled harmlessly wide of the goal, spared Wolves from going into the break without having an attempt.
They had a better opening eight minutes in the second half when January recruit Adam Armstrong went inside onto his weaker left foot and rifled an effort narrowly over the crossbar.
Any chances of the hosts getting back into the game were seemingly extinguished just moments later when Gabriel’s defence-splitting pass released Piero Hincapie in behind, and he confidently hammered home his first goal for the club.
Just as Mikel Arteta’s men thought they had the game wrapped up, a moment of magic saw Hugo Bueno curl his effort from the edge of the area into the top corner to reignite the game as a contest.
Wolves didn’t particularly threaten to score a second goal as Arsenal looked to be managing the game incredibly well, but a late mix up David Raya and Gabriel saw the ball drop kindly to Edozie, whose ferocious low drive was deflected off the line and into the bottom corner to lift off the Molineux roof and leave Arteta’s men crestfallen.
For the Gunners, this was a huge opportunity missed before Manchester City’s match on Saturday and a hammer blow to confidence levels before Sunday’s North London derby.
A point won’t change much for Wolves, who will be playing Championship football next season, barring a miracle, but tonight was a rare high point in their dismal campaign.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Piero Hincapie (Arsenal)
