Arsenal survived one of their ugliest nights of the season to snatch a dramatic 2-1 Premier League victory over basement side Wolves, rescued by a bizarre double act of own goals and a stoppage-time twist that left Mikel Arteta relieved rather than convinced.
In a game that screamed title nerves, the league leaders were second-best for long spells against a Wolves side rooted to the bottom of the table — yet still walked away with all three points thanks to late chaos in the box.
The Emirates crowd expected dominance. What they witnessed instead was a lethargic, error-strewn Arsenal performance that only fate — and Wolves’ misfortune — could salvage.
Arsenal’s opener was as scrappy as the performance itself. Bukayo Saka’s corner crashed off the post before Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone inexplicably diverted the ball into his own net, gifting the hosts a lead they scarcely deserved.
But even that slice of luck failed to spark Arteta’s men into life.
Wolves, disciplined and desperate, refused to fold — and their belief was rewarded in the 90th minute when substitute Tolu Arokodare rose to head home a dramatic equaliser, silencing the Emirates and sending the travelling support into delirium.
Just as Arsenal stared at a damaging draw, destiny intervened again.
Back at the Emirates for the first time in 11 months, Gabriel Jesus proved decisive without scoring. His relentless pressure in stoppage time forced defender Yerson Mosquera to turn Saka’s low cross into his own net, completing a scarcely believable double-own-goal turnaround in the 94th minute.
Cue wild celebrations — and a collective exhale.
Despite the victory, this was far from a champion’s performance. Arsenal looked jaded, short of ideas and vulnerable, with missed chances from Gabriel Martinelli, visible frustration from Arteta on the touchline, and fresh injury worries after Ben White limped off in the first half.
William Saliba, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber returned, but cohesion did not. Wolves, who have endured a miserable campaign, outworked and outthought Arsenal for long periods and will feel brutally robbed of a rare point.
Had Arsenal failed to win, Manchester City were poised to pounce in the title race — a reminder that margins at the top are razor-thin.
This was the kind of night that fuels title folklore: play badly, ride your luck, still win. But it was also the kind of performance that raises alarm bells.
Arsenal march on at the summit — but if they defend and create like this again, especially away at Everton next week, luck may finally run out.
For now, the headline reads victory. The subtext? Serious concern.
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