Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge suffered a remarkable blow after a dismal performance as they squandered a two-goal lead and conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in a damaging 2-2 draw at rock-bottom Wolves on Wednesday night.
Mikel Arteta’s side were on course to move seven points clear at the top after Bukayo Saka’s early opener and Piero Hincapie’s second-half strike put them in control at Molineux.
But Arsenal collapsed in the closing stages as Hugo Bueno reduced the deficit before Riccardo Calafiori turned Tom Edozie’s shot into his own net in the final seconds after a mix-up between goalkeeper David Raya and centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, to leave the visitors shell-shocked.
For a second successive league game, the Gunners had failed to hold onto a lead following their 1-1 draw at Brentford last Thursday.
The failure to nail down bottom-of-the-table Wolves was a major setback for Arsenal, who have won just two of their last seven league matches, offering renewed hope to second-placed Manchester City in the title race.
City are just five points behind Arsenal and have a game in hand on their rivals, as well as a home game against the Gunners in April.
Having wasted commanding leads in two previous title fights with City, Arteta’s men are in danger of being haunted by the ghost of their past failures.
Arsenal looked increasingly nervous as the minutes ticked down against Wolves in a clear sign that the league leaders are feeling the pressure of their bid for a first English title since 2004.
Adding to Arteta’s anxiety, Saka was forced off in the second half with a possible knee injury.
Losing the England star, who this week signed a new contract making him the club’s highest-paid player, for a sustained period would be a hammer blow to Arsenal’s title dreams.
Sitting 17 points from safety with only 11 games left, Wolves remain almost certain to be relegated, but they can take heart from a stunning fightback.
