Arsenal 2-1 Wolves: Highlights, man of the match, stats as own goals save Mikel Arteta's bacon

Own goal was Arsenal's saviour as the Premier League leaders edged out 20th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 at the end of a frenetic final 10 minutes.

The first vs. worst battle did not pan out as entirely expected in the first half; Wolves were sitting with every man behind the ball as anticipated, but the Gunners' invention was non-existent.

In fact, the best chance of the first half fell to Old Gold attacker Hwang Hee-chan, who broke away one-on-one with David Raya but could not beat the Spain international.

Rob Edwards's diligent defence continued to hold firm at the start of the second half, before an incredibly cruel twist of fate, as Sam Johnstone scored the most unfortunate of unfortunate own goals.

The Premier League's basement side never gave up the ghost, though, and substitute Tolu Arokodare appeared to head in the most unlikely of levellers as 90 minutes struck, only for devastation to strike again.

A mere three moments after Arokodare's leveller, Saka's cross was astonishingly headed into his own net by Yerson Mosquera, gifting the league leaders a critical and chaotic three points.

Mikel Arteta's side have now opened up a five-point lead at the summit of the Premier League table, whereas Wolves - for all of their hard graft - remain bottom with a paltry two points.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Ah, the unpredictability of the Premier League. The title favourites smashing and grabbing against potentially the worst team the competition has ever seen.

There was arguably no bigger mismatch on paper than Arsenal vs. Wolves, but Gooners who lived through the 'banter era' and forgettable days of late 2020 know that no game in any competition can be taken for granted.

Any Arsenal fans who feared a typical catastrophe were nearly proven right tonight, as Arteta's men were lethargic, lacking in creativity and were extremely fortunate to come away with all of the spoils.

However, a poor performance and three points is far preferable to a brilliant performance and no points, and a dejected Wolves were victims of the latter scenario after a gargantuan Emirates effort.

The away fans were in extraordinary voice at full time, though - rightly recognising their side's exceptional feats - and Edwards's men now finally have a solid foundation to build on, even if the Championship still beckons.

ARSENAL VS. WOLVES HIGHLIGHTS

Bukayo Saka goal vs. Wolves (70th min, Arsenal 1-0 Wolves)

Arsenal have their breakthrough ⚽️

Terrible luck for Sam Johnstone as the ball bounces off his back into the net...@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/fCtlpyVfBd
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 13, 2025

So cruel on Wolves, so comforting for Arsenal!

Saka whips in a wonderful corner, which strikes the inside of the back post and cannons off of Johnstone's shoulder into the back of the net!

Tolu Arokodare goal vs. Arsenal (90th min, Arsenal 1-1 Wolves)

UNBELIEVABLE!

Tolu Arokodare grabs a late equaliser for Wolves ?@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/aPRWaoDkO2
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 13, 2025

You just never know in football!

Wolves have been huffing and puffing for the leveller, and they get it in the 90th minute, as Mateus Mane's fizzed ball into the box is flicked into the back of the net by Arokodare.

David Raya took a step to his right and was wrong-footed by the big man's header, which sends the away end into pandemonium!

Yerson Mosquera own goal vs. Wolves (90+4 min, Arsenal 2-1 Wolves)

Late drama at the Emirates!

Just minutes after Wolves equalise, Arsenal make it 2-1 in the 94th minute ?@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/bo9o6vN6rf
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 13, 2025

When your luck is in, it most certainly is in!

Saka and Wolves combine to save Arsenal's bacon again, as the Englishman's cross is destined for Gabriel Jesus, but Mosquera inadvertently heads the ball beyond his own goalkeeper to undo all of Wolves' hard work.

MAN OF THE MATCH - BUKAYO SAKA

"Sometimes you need that bit of luck"

Bukayo Saka reacts to Arsenal's late 2-1 win against Wolves...

?️ @LiamMacdevitt @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/lrV6z4Ck8A
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 13, 2025

Where all of his fellow attackers failed, Saka once again succeeded, fashioning both of Arsenal's goals with customary wonderful crosses into the penalty area.

Not only did Saka tee up both own goals, the winger remarkably won all 10 of his duels - seven on the ground and three on the air - and a new contract cannot come soon enough.

ARSENAL VS. WOLVES MATCH STATS

Possession: Arsenal 70%-30% Wolves

Shots: Arsenal 16-3 Wolves

Shots on target: Arsenal 2-2 Wolves

Corners: Arsenal 8-0 Wolves

Fouls: Arsenal 7-15 Wolves

BEST STATS

Arsenal have failed to attempt a single shot on target in the first half of a Premier League game for the first time this season pic.twitter.com/6W3hmMP86x
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 13, 2025

Arsenal's first shot on target came in the 66th minute - their longest wait for a shot on target in a Premier League home game since January 2019 (66th minute vs Cardiff). ?#ARSWOL
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 13, 2025

No side has conceded more own goals than Wolves this season (3), while that was the first one Arsenal have benefitted from. https://t.co/NJ7uw1sDDZ
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 13, 2025