Late Mosquera own goal preserves Arsenal’s lead as Wolves’ resistance finally breaks

Yerson Mosquera’s stoppage-time own goal sealed a dramatic victory for Premier League leaders Arsenal, who edged bottom club Wolves in a tense encounter at Emirates Stadium, Sport360NG reports.

Mikel Arteta’s side were largely frustrated by Wolves’ compact five-man defence and struggled to impose themselves for long spells. Arsenal eventually broke the deadlock in the 70th minute when Bukayo Saka’s inswinging corner was pushed on to the post by Sam Johnstone, only for the ball to ricochet off the goalkeeper and over the line.

Despite taking the lead, Arsenal failed to settle and invited pressure as they attempted to protect their advantage. Wolves made the most of that hesitancy, sending balls into the penalty area, and appeared to have snatched a point when Mateus Mane’s cross was met by Tolu Arokodare, who headed home in the 90th minute.

The late equaliser sparked anxiety among the home crowd, mindful of the title race and the opportunity it presented for Manchester City to close the gap. However, Arsenal responded immediately. Saka once again delivered from the right, curling a cross towards substitute Gabriel Jesus, and Mosquera, attempting to clear, misjudged his header and diverted the ball into his own net.

The late twist sparked scenes of relief inside the Emirates and ensured Arsenal maintained their position at the summit, moving five points clear of Manchester City ahead of a demanding trip to Everton next week.

Arsenal analysis: Scrappy display, crucial outcome

Arsenal will acknowledge they were second best for large periods against a Wolves side still searching for a league win this season. The hosts failed to register a shot on target in the first half and again found it difficult to break down a low defensive block.

With Wolves intent on disrupting the rhythm of the game, Arteta’s team lacked their usual intensity and fluency. Both Arsenal goals ultimately came from opposition errors, first from Johnstone at a corner and later from Mosquera under pressure.

The nervous atmosphere inside the stadium reflected the weight of expectation after three consecutive second-place finishes. That tension seeped on to the pitch as Arsenal retreated after scoring, almost paying the price for their caution.

Recent draws against Chelsea and Sunderland, along with last week’s defeat by Aston Villa, underline a slight wobble at a critical stage of the season. Managing the mental demands of a title challenge will be as important as tactical sharpness in the weeks ahead.

Wolves analysis: Encouragement without reward

For Wolves and manager Rob Edwards, the manner of the defeat will be especially painful after coming so close to earning a point against the league leaders.

Their disciplined defensive structure limited Arsenal’s chances and allowed Wolves to remain competitive deep into the contest. Arokodare’s late header, from one of their few attacks, was a rare moment of attacking quality.

However, the result extends a bleak run for Wolves, who remain winless in 20 Premier League matches and have now lost nine in a row. With the gap to safety already stretching to 13 points, their prospects of avoiding relegation appear increasingly remote despite signs of resilience in performance.