The look on Rob Edwards’ face said it all as he applauded Wolves fans at the Emirates Stadium. The bottom side of the Premier League went away to the leaders and were seconds away from their third score of the season, but were denied a second own goal of the game to hand themselves a ninth straight defeat.
There was pride in Wolves for fighting and fighting and finally equalizing with Tolu Arokodare’s stoppage-time header. But it pained me, so painfully, to see Jason Mosquera fire Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own net and the Wolves player collapse on the turf as if a string had been severed.
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This belated drama changed everything for Arsenal in an instant. They were on the verge of claiming three valuable points at the end of a frustrating game when Saka’s inswinging corner hit the post and deflected off his back, and Saka’s inswinging corner happened to be saved by Sam Johnstone’s own goal. Most people leaving the Emirates Stadium would have shrugged, muttered something about a seventh game in 21 days and moved on. Instead, messing up the game and then winning moments later would give Arsenal a huge boost heading into free week and next Saturday’s game against Everton.
Two crosses from Saka led to an own goal for Wolves (AFP via Getty Images)
“Things went well today so we will take the points and move on,” Saka said. “It was frustrating at times to be honest but it paid off. We have a break now until next week and we’ll enjoy it.”
He’s a dangerous player and one Wolves can’t get rid of, even if Arsenal stutter and struggle with fluency. Saka provides quality when Arsenal need it, thanks to his consistent passing from set-pieces and opening plays. While Arteta continues to replace substitutes in search of improvement, there is no doubt that Saka will stay.
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Before tonight, Arsenal had won 10 of their 11 games at the Emirates Stadium this season. Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur were all eliminated. But no, Wolves. Only Guardiola’s Manchester City have been able to frustrate and slow down Arsenal so effectively, as a team that sits at the bottom of the Premier League has managed just two points all season.
Arteta was visibly frustrated and so were his players. Martin Zubimendi, crucial to setting the tempo required by Arteta, immediately covered his face after being drawn into Arsenal’s triple substitution. Until then, Arsenal lacked their usual quickness and fluidity. Arsenal didn’t have a shot on target until the 66th minute, and the passes needed to break Wolves were rushed and inaccurate. Zubimendi cannot hide this.
Arteta was frustrated with Arsenal’s first-half performance and their reaction to taking the lead (Getty Images)
The breakthrough came from a set-piece, but Arteta’s relief was almost eclipsed by the remainder of the game. Arteta was particularly incensed when Arsenal dropped deeper in response to the visitors’ attack two or three minutes before Wolves’ equalizer. The Premier League bottom side offer no threat but Arteta is furious at how passive his players have become when having to defend the edge of their own box. “The way we conceded the ball made it more difficult for ourselves and that’s unacceptable,” Arteta said. “Poor defensive habits. Not anywhere near where it needs to be.”
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If this was a glimpse of how Arsenal will cope with the pressure of a title race after conceding a late goal in last weekend’s defeat to Aston Villa, Arteta isn’t enjoying it. “This is an important lesson we must learn,” he concluded. But what happened when Arsenal backed down against a team that should have been full of confidence?
After Jesus grabbed the ball, Mosquera headed the ball from Saka’s cross (AP)
Arteta feels Arsenal are no longer trying to play. “The first chance they had to do it, they scored and that’s the problem,” he lamented. “We were relieved because we ended up scoring and winning the game, but we need to improve on that.”
Of course, this approach was brutal for Wolves and crushing for Mosquera. Gabriel Jesus looked to be on the end of Saka’s cross and Mosquera was caught heading into his own net.
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“Ultimately luck decided the game, and bad luck,” Edwards reflected. “The lads gave it their all and I’m proud of a lot of it but it hurts. Bad luck but they earned it. If someone had said to me at the start we were going to score three points tonight, I would have said I’d take it. It’s a strange situation.”
(Action photo via Reuters)
