Arsenal secured a narrow and hard-fought 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points. However, the win came with a significant dose of relief and introspection, as both manager Mikel Arteta and captain Bukayo Saka acknowledged the team's struggles and the element of luck involved against the division's worst team.

The Gunners did not find the back of the net until the 70th minute when Bukayo Saka's corner inadvertently led to an own goal by Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. Despite taking the lead, Arsenal seemingly dropped deep and became passive, a move that Arteta vehemently criticized. This defensive lapse allowed substitute Tolu Arokodare to equalize for Wolves in the 90th minute, creating a nervy atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium and sparking fears reminiscent of recent late defeats.

However, Arsenal snatched a precious win in dramatic fashion in the 94th minute, when Yerson Mosquera headed another of Saka's crosses into his own net. The victory marked Arsenal's ninth consecutive win at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta, while relieved, expressed a "very clear understanding that the margins should have been bigger." He highlighted the team's lack of precision in the first half and, more critically, slammed their "horrible defensive habits" during a two- or three-minute period that allowed Wolves to score without having a single shot prior to the equalizer. Arteta stressed the need for significant improvement, stating that such passive play is "nowhere near the level that is required."