Saka's instrumental service edges Arsenal past stubborn Wolves

Arsenal moved clear again at the top of the Premier League after edging past Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

What appeared on paper to be a straightforward first-versus-last fixture instead became a searching examination of Arsenal’s nerve and patience.

Mikel Arteta’s side dominated territory and possession but struggled for rhythm against a Wolves team that defended with discipline and an edge that belied their bleak league position.

Arsenal were flat and predictable for long spells of the first half with most of their attacking play funnelled towards Bukayo Saka on the right without sufficient movement elsewhere to open space.

Their clearest opening before the break came from a Declan Rice corner when Gabriel Martinelli headed wide from close range.

Wolves were not content to simply survive and threatened on the counter with Hwang Hee-chan forcing David Raya into a sharp save after racing clear from halfway.

The visitors’ belief grew as Arsenal’s frustration became audible in the stands and visible on the touchline.

Arteta responded after the hour with a triple change to raise the tempo and inject urgency into a performance that had lacked bite.

The breakthrough finally arrived on 70 minutes and it came from Arsenal’s most reliable weapon.

Saka whipped in an inswinging corner and Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone misjudged the flight with the ball rebounding off the post and then off his back and into the net.

Rather than folding Wolves pushed forward again and Arsenal were forced into defending deeper than they would have liked.

That pressure told late on when Mateus Mane crossed from the left and substitute Tolu Arokodare headed past Raya to seemingly steal a point.

With the Emirates stunned Arsenal were left facing the prospect of dropping points in a match they were expected to win comfortably.

Instead they showed the resilience of a team chasing the title.

Deep into stoppage time Saka again delivered from the right and Gabriel Jesus challenged in front of goal.

Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera attempted to clear but only succeeded in diverting the ball into his own net to hand Arsenal a dramatic winner.

Relief swept through the stadium as Arsenal avoided a damaging setback and restored daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.

It was not a performance that will be replayed for its fluency but it was one that underlined character and resolve.

Arsenal will know they cannot make a habit of leaving games this tight but on a night that tested them mentally they found a way to win.

In a title race where margins are slim this was another reminder that survival sometimes matters as much as style.

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