Arsenal suffer new blow in title race after Edozie’s equaliser boosts Wolves

Whichever way you look at it, Arsenal did not produce a performance worthy of champions. No one in red and white will want to remember this freezing cold night at Molineux – but it will live long in the memory of Wolves’ Tom Edozie, whose debut goal was a just punishment for the Premier League leaders’ ineptitude.

Arsenal are five points clear of Manchester City, having played a game more, and will feel their icy breath on their shoulders after winning twice in their past seven matches.

When Bukayo Saka headed Arsenal into a fifth-minute lead it felt like a procession was coming, but as the temperature dropped so did the Gunners’ performance. Piero Hincapié struck a second to calm the jangling away‑end nerves and few could have anticipated the league’s worst team fighting back. A stunning Hugo Bueno strike reduced the deficit and changed a few minds before Edozie came off the bench to make a name for himself in Wolverhampton and east Manchester.

When ahead Arsenal were still playing below their maximum against a Wolves side trying to make the night as difficult as possible. Even with that mindset the comparative starting lineups provided evidence of the differing qualities. While Wolves started with Adam Armstrong, a January signing from the Championship, Arsenal had the £64m Viktor Gyökeres leading the line but it was hard to tell the difference.

Often games against mediocre teams in poor conditions are, in cliched circles, a good test of a potential title winner and Arsenal failed it. With the rain swirling in an arctic wind, Arsenal rightly did not look concerned by their rock-bottom opposition, controlling the ball in the early stages. Saka, moving into a more central role as a No 10, further proved his versatility with a smart run and then a header to score from a Declan Rice cross.

This silenced the home crowd, removing any optimism they had of an upset. Wolves were passive in their play, drawing Arsenal on to them with a second goal looking inevitable, but like the temperature the Gunners’ performance was dipping. Noni Madueke, not popular in these parts for calling the city “shit”, tested José Sá, who spilled his shot before the danger was removed with Gabriel Martinelli lurking.

Arsenal were afforded plenty of space as Wolves stayed in a low block, without an aggressive press in the first half. With so much time on the ball, they should have created more clearcut chances but Sá was left untroubled. The isolated Gyökeres received no service, allowing him to ponder if wearing a short-sleeved shirt was the right decision.

Wolves failed to have a single shot in the opening half‑hour, which was no surprise to many considering it was a match comprising the worst attack against the best defence. As the rain turned to snow, the home support started to appreciate the resistance shown to keep the deficit at one. Tolu Arokodare, on as a substitute, won a grappling contest with William Saliba to give hope that there was some fight in the Wolves ranks.

It was upon Arsenal to quell the resurgence, which was more evident in the stands than on the pitch. For so long they had enjoyed a straightforward night but there was more aggression in Wolves as the break approached and Arsenal were beginning to lose duels and have their attacks stifled.

After barely having a kick, Armstrong reminded Arsenal they were in a match with a smart turn and rising shot which went over the bar. It was a sign of an intent that had been lacking on both sides but increased the noise inside Molineux, as supporters on all sides acknowledged their heroes needed them.

Arsenal were forced into action and it took something a bit different. Hincapié moved up from left‑back to get between the Wolves defenders, allowing him to reach a precise pass from Gabriel Magalhães into the channel before slotting past Sá for his first Arsenal goal. The assistant referee belatedly put his flag up, only for the video assistant referee to overrule him, giving the away end a second excuse to get warm.

If that was supposed to kill the game off no one told Hugo Bueno, who popped up on the right wing. He cut in and struck a curling shot into the top corner, much to the surprise of everyone.

Wolves unsettled Arsenal and found ways to hurt them. Arteta knew the importance of a win, spending the night in the freezing cold on the touchline, becoming covered in a cocktail of rain, sleet and snow. He could not have been too concerned when Edozie came on with six minutes to play for the first senior action of his career, but Arsenal could not cope with the pressure.

Edozie was more effective than the weather in sullying Arsenal’s mood. His shot hit the post and went in off Riccardo Calafiori, who was on as late substitute. It was a goal that provided what could be a pivotal moment in the title race.