In the 31st round of the English Premier League, the leaders Arsenal faced an unexpected setback. The Londoners were held to a 2-2 draw away to bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers, failing to maintain a two-goal lead.
The match took place on February 18 at Molineux Stadium, and Arsenal looked confident from the start. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the 5th minute, giving the visitors a quick morale boost. At the start of the second half, the Gunners struck again: in the 57th minute, Piero Hincapie scored, doubling the lead - at this point many thought "it's over, the game is over."
But football is like that: a game that is "over" can be "opened up" in an instant. In the 61st minute, Hugo Bueno brought Wolves back into the game. The hosts increased the pressure and did not give up hope even in the last minutes. And the most "difficult" point in the drama came in the 90th + 4th minute: Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori scored an own goal - as a result, the Londoners missed out on the victory and left two points on the field.
Premier League. 31st round
Wolverhampton — Arsenal 2:2
February 18, Molineux Stadium
Goals: U. Bueno (61), Calafiori (90+4, own goal) — Saka (5), Hinkapi (57).
Wolverhampton — Sa, Mockera, S. Bueno, Krejci, Chachtua (Gomesh, 70), Gomes (Arokodare, 22), Andre, U. Bueno, Mane, Belgard (Edozi, 84), Armstrong.
Arsenal — Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hinkapi, Subimendi, Rice, Madueke (Eze, 65), Saka (Trossar 77, Calafiori 90+3), Martinelli, Gokeresh (Jesus, 65).
Warnings: S.Bueno (45+4), Belgard (71), Jesus (90+9).
After this draw, Arsenal still holds the lead with 58 points. However, the chasing Manchester City has 53 points and a reserve game - which means that the nerves in the championship race will now be tested even more. Wolves remain in last place with 10 points, but this draw was a signal for them that "yes, we are alive too."
In short, this match for Mikel Arteta's team is not a victory - a stern warning: even the last team in the Premier League will not forgive your mistake. Now the main task for Arsenal is not to repeat such "burning" minutes, otherwise every lost point on the way to the championship will be expensive.
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