Arsenal grinding out a last-gasp win against Wolves felt almost surreal — yet it happened. A game that seemed destined to end level was dramatically turned on its head by a 94th-minute own goal, rescuing the league leaders in desperate fashion.
The feeling at full-time was relief rather than celebration, and the performance raised as many questions as it answered for Mikel Arteta’s side.
A Fortunate Night for the Gunners
Few expected Wolves to pose any real threat. Three points looked inevitable; even a draw felt far-fetched. And yet, for long stretches, Arsenal were heading exactly in that direction.
After losing to Aston Villa last weekend, failing to beat the league’s bottom side would have fuelled the familiar narrative of Arsenal faltering when pressure mounts from Manchester City. That storyline was only narrowly avoided.
The breakthrough itself was fortunate. Bukayo Saka’s corner struck the bar before bouncing off goalkeeper Sam Johnstone’s arm and into the net. Wolves responded late through Tolu Arokodare’s 90th-minute header, briefly stunning the Emirates, before Yerson Mosquera’s own goal cruelly sealed their fate.
It was harsh on a Wolves side that defended doggedly and did enough to earn a point. Arteta admitted as much, criticising a brief spell of passive defending from his players after the match.
Winning without playing well is often the mark of champions, but scraping past the Premier League’s weakest team is far from ideal. Arsenal again struggled against a deep, compact defence, failing to register a shot on target in the first half for the first time this season. The frustration was visible both on the pitch and in the stands.
For now, the result keeps them moving forward. The performance, however, demands serious reflection.
Gyökeres Under Scrutiny
If there was a fixture Viktor Gyökeres would have earmarked to boost his confidence, Wolves at home would have been it. Yet the striker once again struggled against a low block — precisely the scenario he was signed to overcome.
Service flashed across the box, but Gyökeres was often slow to react. His movement lacked sharpness, and he failed to impose himself physically or create space for teammates. His five first-half touches were the fewest of any player on the pitch.
There were improvements after the break, with better hold-up play and a couple of efforts on goal, but patience among supporters is thinning. Four league goals in 14 matches is an underwhelming return.
Arteta has publicly urged calm, insisting Gyökeres be “left alone,” and there have been flashes of promise — particularly against Burnley last month. Still, since returning from injury, his influence has dipped.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus continues to remind everyone of his value. After returning from a lengthy injury layoff, his brief cameo brought energy, movement, and involvement — ultimately contributing to the winning moment.
With Kai Havertz sidelined and Gyökeres not fully convincing, Jesus has a genuine opportunity to reclaim a leading role. Gyökeres will know the pressure is mounting.
Another Injury Blow
Arsenal’s injury list grew again with Ben White becoming the latest concern. The defender pulled up clutching his left thigh after a full-length sprint to halt a counter-attack.
Questions will be asked about workload management. White had not started consecutive games earlier this season but has now been heavily relied upon due to a lack of options. Arteta admitted the risk was unavoidable, revealing how thin the squad has become defensively.
With Jurrien Timber only just returning and William Saliba himself being rushed back, Arsenal are operating on the edge physically. It’s a worrying pattern, one that could prove costly in the title run-in.
Final Thoughts
Arsenal got the result they needed, but not the performance they wanted. Escaping with three points keeps momentum alive, yet the cracks — against low blocks, in squad depth, and in fitness management — remain visible.
For a side chasing the Premier League title, survival wins are acceptable. Repeated reliance on fortune, however, is not.
