Wolves 2–2 Arsenal: Late Calafiori Own Goal Costs Gunners Crucial Premier League Points

Late drama at Molineux as Arsenal let victory slip, with Wolves completing a dramatic comeback in the 94th minute to earn a 2–2 draw.

Arsenal looked set to take a major step toward the Premier League title and move seven points clear, but in the dying moments, David Raya failed to claim a cross and Riccardo Calafiori turned the ball into his own net.

The surprise in the starting lineup came with Bukayo Saka featuring not on the wing but in the No. 10 role, retaining the position he occupied in the previous match against Wigan.

Reports emerged midweek that Bukayo Saka had signed a new £300,000-a-week contract, and he quickly repaid the faith as Arsenal took the lead in the fourth minute Declan Rice delivered a wicked cross and Saka nodded the ball into the net.

The goal also saw Bukayo Saka end a 15-game goal drought.

Saka continued to look lively, breaking the lines to find Viktor Gyökeres, who laid it off to Noni Madueke, but the winger’s powerful effort was well saved by José Sá.

In the second half, Wolves stepped up the tempo and began to assert themselves.

Arsenal regained control as Piero Hincapié netted his first goal of the season, making a clever striker’s run and finishing from a perfectly timed through ball from Gabriel to make it 0–2.

The Magpies, however, began to grow back into the game.

Hugo Bueno injected life into the Wolves side with a stunning left-footed strike in the 60th minute, sending the home crowd into raptures.

According to the official match stats, Arsenal had the greater share of possession (58% to Wolves’ 42%) and more overall attacking numbers (10 shots to Wolves’ 4, including 5 shots on target to their 1), but Wolves’ resilience was evident as the game wore on. Arsenal completed 467 passes (87% accuracy) compared to Wolves’ 295 (77% accuracy), but the crucial moments were defined by Wolves’ sharp transitional play.

How Wolves Built Their Late Equaliser

As the clock ticked past the 90th minute, Wolves sensed a chance as Arsenal began to adopt a deeper shape, inviting pressure. Wolves’ equaliser stemmed from a well-worked sequence around the Arsenal penalty area, with sustained pressure forcing a scramble as Arsenal failed to clear their lines.

In transition, Wolves recycled possession through midfield and switched the point of attack, drawing several Arsenal defenders out of position. When a cross was delivered into the box late in stoppage time, David Raya hesitated to claim it cleanly misjudging the ball with defender Gabriel also trying to header the ball away amid heavy pressure from the home side. The loose ball striked by wolves debutan Tom Edozie which ricocheted off Riccardo Calafiori and into his own net, sparking wild celebrations from the Wolves players and supporters alike.

This decisive moment showed Wolves’ willingness to attack space and exploit uncertainty in the Arsenal defence a far more direct approach compared to the Gunners’ controlled possession.

With 30 minutes remaining, Arsenal chose to sit back, inviting pressure, and were ultimately punished. Wolves capitalised in the 94th minute,

earning a late equaliser and dropping two crucial points. This now has major implications for the title race.

Tempers flared after the final whistle as Gabriel Jesus shoved Yerson Mosquera to the ground, sparking a heated confrontation.

Manchester City now sit five points behind Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand, while Wolves remain anchored at the bottom of the table in 20th with just 10 points.