LEADERS Arsenal blew a 2-0 lead in dramatic fashion to draw at rock-bottom Wolves and missed the chance to go seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Gunners defender, Riccardo Calafiori, turned in debutant Tom Edozie’s shot in the fourth minute of added time for a late leveller after goalkeeper David Raya and centre-back Gabriel made a mess of clearing a high ball into the box.
Hugo Bueno had started Wolves’ comeback with a stunning curling effort after Bukayo Saka with his first goal in 15 games and Piero Hincapie gave Arsenal what seemed a commanding lead.
The Gunners had control at Molineux as Bukayo Saka celebrated his new contract with the fifth-minute opener.
The England forward nodded in Declan Rice’s cross just a day after signing a fresh five-year deal at the Emirates before Hincapie added a 56th-minute second with a smart finish from a Gabriel pass for his first goal for the club.
Yet after Saka, who ended a 15-game goal drought in all competitions, went off following treatment, Arsenal struggled under pressure as Hugo Bueno pulled a goal back with a stunning curler in the 61st minute.
Wolves pushed at the end and when Gabriel got in the way as Raya tried to clear a cross, 19-year-old Edozie — on for his senior debut as a substitute — slammed in a shot that struck Calafiori and went in off the post.
Arsenal were stunned, with tempers frayed at the end after Gabriel Jesus shoved over Yerson Mosquera, as their lead over Manchester City is five points, with Pep Guardiola’s side having a game in hand.
It was a damaging night for Mikel Arteta’s men in their quest for a first league title since 2004.
Yet they still remain in the hunt for a quadruple of trophies, also facing City in next month’s Carabao Cup final, into the Champions League last 16 having topped the league phase and FA Cup fifth round.
But this result will once more spark doubts over Arsenal’s staying power, having finished second in the past three successive seasons. -BBC
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