Arsenal saw their Premier League title charge suffer a serious setback after surrendering a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 against bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta’s men appeared on course to extend their lead at the summit to seven points following an early strike from Bukayo Saka and a second-half goal by Piero Hincapie.
However, the visitors faltered late on. Hugo Bueno pulled one back with a superb effort before a dramatic stoppage-time own goal by Riccardo Calafiori, following confusion between goalkeeper David Raya and defender Gabriel Magalhaes, allowed Tom Edozie’s shot to deflect in and rescue a point for Wolves.
It marked the second consecutive league match in which the Gunners failed to protect a lead, coming after their 1-1 stalemate at Brentford. The dropped points represent a major blow for Arsenal, who have managed just two wins in their last seven league outings, reopening the door for second-placed Manchester City in the title race.
City trail Arsenal by five points with a game in hand and are scheduled to host the north London side in April — a fixture that could prove decisive. Having previously surrendered strong positions in title battles with City, Arteta’s squad now risk revisiting familiar frustrations.
Arsenal began brightly, with Saka operating in a central attacking role once again after impressing there recently. Just five minutes in, Declan Rice delivered a precise cross that Saka met with a perfectly timed header from close range.
The goal ended a 15-game scoring drought for Saka across all competitions, stretching back to early December. Arsenal dominated the opening exchanges, with Rice narrowly missing and Noni Madueke forcing a save from goalkeeper Jose Sa.
Despite their early control, Wolves showed flashes of threat. Midfielder Andre struck narrowly wide before the interval, while Adam Armstrong tested Arsenal from distance shortly after the restart.
Arsenal responded in the 56th minute when Gabriel threaded a neat pass to Hincapie, who fired emphatically into the roof of the net. Although initially ruled out for offside, VAR confirmed the defender was onside, restoring the two-goal cushion.
Just as the visitors looked comfortable, Bueno reignited the contest with a stunning curling effort from the edge of the box — his maiden Premier League goal.
Arteta later withdrew striker Viktor Gyokeres after a quiet display that yielded just 11 touches and no attempts on goal.
Wolves completed their comeback in chaotic fashion during stoppage time. A mix-up between Raya and Gabriel prevented the goalkeeper from claiming the ball cleanly. When it dropped to Edozie, the teenager fired goalward, with Calafiori inadvertently diverting it into his own net.
With Wolves sitting 17 points adrift of safety and facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation, the result nevertheless provided a rare highlight in a difficult campaign. For Arsenal, meanwhile, the failure to close out the match may prove far more costly in the context of the title race.
What you should know
Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Wolves could significantly impact the Premier League title race.
After leading 2-0, late defensive errors allowed Wolves to equalise in stoppage time. The result leaves Manchester City within striking distance, with a game in hand and a crucial head-to-head fixture looming.
Arsenal have now struggled to hold leads in consecutive matches, raising concerns about composure under pressure.
Injuries, including a potential issue for Bukayo Saka, could further complicate their title pursuit as the season enters its decisive final stretch.
