Football news - Henrikh Mkhitaryan strikes late to preserve Arsenal’s unbeaten run
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ByEurosport
Updated 11/11/2018 at 19:28 GMT
Premier League, The Emirates - Arsenal 1 (Mkhitaryan 86') Wolves 1 (Cavaleiro 13')
Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrate their first goal
Image credit: Reuters
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s untouched cross late on rescued Arsenal at home to Wolves and gave them a 1-1 draw to preserve their unbeaten run.
Wolves, who had lost their three previous matches, made the breakthrough after only 13 minutes, owing to a mistake from Granit Xhaka. The Swiss midfielder dummied a pass in midfield and Ivan Cavaleiro pounced on the loose ball, exchanged passes with Helder Costa and finished confidently.
The visitors were lively on the counter-attack and could have extended their lead before the half-time break only to find Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno in inspired form.
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Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ivan Cavaleiro celebrates scoring their first goal with Raul Jimenez
Image credit: Reuters
It took the Gunners an hour to register their first shot on target, but after that they had plenty of chances. They were, however, unable to find a way through as they were let down by a combination of stout Wolves defending and poor finishing.
However, the visitors were finally undone in the final minutes when substitute Mkhitaryan cut in from the left and curled a cross to the back post, no-one got a touch and the ball sailed straight in.
It was harsh on Wolves, and yet the newly-promoted side had chances to snatch all three points with Morgan Gibbs-White agonisingly striking the crossbar deep into injury-time.
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Arsenal's Matteo Guendouzi celebrates their first goal
Image credit: Reuters
The result means Arsenal, who have extended their unbeaten run to 16 matches in all competitions, remain in fifth place, while Wolves stay in 11th.
TALKING POINT - Battling Arsenal rescue a point
For the second consecutive game Arsenal were outplayed, at home, and yet snatched a point from the jaws of defeat. The performances may have been concerning, but Unai Emery will draw positives from the probability that these are games the Gunners would have lost last season.
It's very much a work-in-progress, as demonstrated by the league table, but Emery's side have shown they have the bottle to push the top four all the way this term. With back-to-back fixtures with Tottenham and Manchester United looming large though, they will have to improve if they are to get back to winning ways.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Bernd Leno
Mkhitaryan will grab the headlines for his fortunate equaliser, but having pulled off a number of stunning saves, Arsenal's shot-stopper was the real hero.
PLAYER RATINGS
Arsenal: Leno 8, Bellerin 6, Holding 6, Mustafi 7, Kolasinac 6, Torreira 7, Xhaka 5, Iwobi 6, Ozil 6, Aubameyang 5, Lacazette 5. Subs: Mkhitaryan 7, Ramsey 6, Guendouzi 6.
Wolves: Rui Patricio 6, Bennett 7, Coady 7, Boly 7, Doherty 7, Joao Moutinho 7, Neves 7, Jonny 7, Helder Costa 8, Jimenez 8, Ivan Cavaleiro 8. Subs: Gibbs-White 7, Jota 6, Traore 7.
KEY MOMENTS
13' - GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Wolves: What is Xhaka doing? He dummies a pass in midfield, Cavaleiro steals in, eats up some ground in the centre and plays a neat one-two with Jimenez before coolly slotting home the opener.
23' - CHANCE! And now Wolves spring a rapid counter-attack. Costa leads the charge, is allowed to check inside and shoot, forcing Leno into a good save. The Arsenal goalkeeper then gathers himself quickly to smother the loose ball before Jimenez can pounce.
87' - GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Wolves: Mkhitaryan to the rescue! Arsenal play a short corner to the substitute, he fizzes in a lovely cross, it misses everyone and ends up in the net! It is one of those that are an absolute nightmare to defend against.
90'+2 - WOLVES CHANCE! Mkhitaryan to the rescue at one end, Leno saves the day for Arsenal at the other! Traore leaves Holding for dead with his rapid pace, checks inside but sees his shot brilliantly blocked by the Arsenal shot-stopper.
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Arsenal's Hector Bellerin and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Adama Traore after the match
Image credit: Reuters
90'+5 - OFF THE WOODWORK! You won't believe this - Wolves have been denied by the crossbar in the dying moments! It's brilliant from Traore on the counter once again, he pulls it back to Gibbs-White who curls a brilliant first-time effort at goal... and it smashes off the woodwork before bouncing to safety.
KEY STATS
- This was the first time Wolves have ever taken the lead in a Premier League game against Arsenal.
- The Gunners have taken 60 points from a possible 66 in their last 22 league games at home to newly-promoted sides (W19, D3)
- Wolves are winless in their last 26 Premier League matches against sides starting the day in the top half of the table (D10, L16).
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