Wolves 2 - 2 Arsenal - THE OWNER PRESS

Arsenal squandered a two-goal result in blow the title race vast open as Wolves snatched a 2-2 attract stoppage-time at Molineux.

Tom Edozie, 19, got here off the bench to attain the equaliser on his Premier League debut after a mix-up between Gabriel and David Raya amid extraordinary scenes as Mikel Arteta watched on in disbelief at how the Gunners misplaced management in opposition to the underside membership.

Bukayo Saka’s early aim had appeared set to make it an easy night for the Premier League leaders with Arsenal totally dominant within the first half. When Piero Hincapie scored his first aim for the membership early within the second that ought to have been that.

However Hugo Bueno’s gorgeous curled strike into the highest nook altered the temper and Arsenal sat again, attempting to carry on to their benefit. It was undone by Edozie’s crisp strike that Riccardo Calafiori couldn’t maintain out to spark bedlam inside Molineux.

Arsenal lengthen their lead on the prime to 5 factors however Manchester Metropolis now have a sport in hand and with Arteta’s staff nonetheless to journey to the Etihad Stadium this season, this might but be seen as a significant turning level within the Premier League title race.

Merson slams ‘gradual and lazy’ Arsenal

Sky Sports activities’ Paul Merson:

“If Man Metropolis win all their video games now on, they win the league. It is disappointing.

“You’ll be able to’t play in second gear. When Wolves went to 2-2, there was an urgency. They did not have that earlier than. You’ll be able to’t play like that. Each sport is a cup last to the top.

“You have to play at a excessive tempo. If Arsenal play at a excessive tempo, Wolves cannot stay with them. However to play the best way they performed, and it is gradual and lazy, and they’re giving the ball away, then Wolves are all the time going to be within the sport.

“That would come again to chew them. That’s actually, actually disappointing tonight.

“It is going come on full blast now, being bottle jobs, melting. It is full on now drawing away at Brentford after which being two objectives up in opposition to the worst staff within the league.”

Arteta: We deserve the hits

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports activities:

“It is tough to just accept it within the second half how we did not carry out at any degree in any side of the sport, on the requirements which are required to win a sport within the Premier League and we paid the worth.

“Too many issues that went improper was one after the opposite. It is best to not choose it. We’re all too emotional about it and it is not the second to do it. It is a second when you do not carry out, and you’re at this degree, and expectations are the place they’re. You must take the hit, as a result of as properly, we deserve it.”

Saka: We have misplaced momentum

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka talking to Sky Sports activities:

“It is very flat. I am very disenchanted with the consequence and particularly how we performed within the second half, it’s miles from the extent that we have set this season.

“It is time for us to replicate on the few performances and simply repair the problems instantly so we will get again to profitable video games and occurring a run and construct momentum as a result of we have misplaced {that a} bit proper now.”

Unlikely comeback in stats

This was the primary time in Premier League historical past {that a} facet beginning the day backside of the desk prevented defeat to the facet beginning the day prime regardless of trailing by two or extra objectives.

Arsenal didn’t win a Premier League away sport wherein they’d a two-goal lead for the primary time since April 2023 at West Ham, ending an 18-game profitable run on the street when two objectives forward within the league.

Wolves prevented defeat in a Premier League residence sport wherein they trailed by two or extra objectives for the primary time since beating Manchester Metropolis 3-2 in December 2019, ending a 31-game dropping run on residence soil from two down.

Smith: Man Metropolis will fancy it now

Sky Sports activities’ Alan Smith:

“We have spoken so usually about them being the perfect staff, the perfect squad within the league. However that counts for nothing if you have not received that composure and talent to play and get outcomes beneath strain. That phrase bottle might be used fairly a bit within the subsequent few days.

“Man Metropolis might be pondering they’ll really feel our breath on the shoulder and with their expertise, with Guardiola’s expertise, they’re going to be actually fancying it now.

“Clearly, it is a large sport in opposition to Newcastle for them on the weekend, however they’ll virtually really feel the nerves of the Arsenal staff watching that tonight.”

Who’s Tom Edozie?

The Wolves teen whose swing of his proper foot altered the complexion of the title race just isn’t even well-known to his personal supporters. Even his supervisor is discovering out about him. “We’re nonetheless studying about him as properly,” mentioned Edwards of Edozie.

The 19-year-old attacking midfielder signed knowledgeable contract in 2024 and has appeared as an unused substitute previous to this sport however didn’t even have his personal Wikipedia web page on the level at which his effort deflected its approach into Arsenal’s internet.

“He has impressed us with some very nice moments. He’s technically a gifted participant, however we’re nonetheless studying about him ourselves. We simply had a sense,” added Edwards.

“JJ [Bellegarde], I believed, had been good within the sport. Clearly, he is been out some time. Generally you may have a sense after which that intestine has proved proper. As he was approaching, I simply put my arm spherical him and mentioned, this could possibly be your second, go and take it.

“The primary couple of touches, I feel it was tough. Declan Rice respiratory down his neck. It was a bit new for him, however then I believed he took his aim brilliantly. It was a stunning second for him.”