Wolves came from behind once again to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to six matches as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side took a well-deserved point from Arsenal.
Raul Jimenez’s second-half header cancelled out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s opener to make sure Wolves didn’t leave the Emirates Stadium empty handed.
Nuno reverted back to the same 11 which started last weekend’s Premier League draw with Newcastle United after making wholesale changes to his line-up for the trip to Aston Villa in the midweek Carabao Cup tie.
And it was Wolves who started the game the brighter of the two sides, with cute link-up play between Diogo Jota and Jonny almost leading to the first opening, but the latter blazed well over Bernd Leno’s crossbar when the ball found its way out to the Portuguese forward on the edge of the area.
The visitors continued to dictate most of the early possession, launching attack after attack on the Gunners’ goal, but the home side were able to stand firm and deny their opponents the opening goal – Ruben Neves coming closest to putting Wolves ahead, but his dipping long-range effort fell just over the bar.
Arsenal began to grow into the game throughout the first-half, with Lucas Torreira coming close before the deadlock was broken by Aubameyang. The striker was lurking inside the Wolves box from a David Luiz cross, and after striker partner Alexandre Lacazette picked up the ball, all he had to do was slot a pass across to the Gabon forward who beat Rui Patricio from 10 yards out.
Once the hosts went ahead, they kept the pressure on Wolves, finding success down the visitors’ left side, with both Aubameyang and Lacazette testing the reflexes of the Wolves keeper, while Neves had another attempt at goal from outside the box which failed to trouble Leno.
Just before the half-time break, Wolves thought the had found the equalising goal – but for some outstanding goalkeeping from Leno. Jota went on a driving run down the left before cutting the ball across the box which fell to Matt Doherty. The Irishman hit a first-time effort goalbound, but the Arsenal keeper somehow managed to get his hands to the ball and palm the ball away to safety.
Wolves finished the half as strong as they started it, but despite Jimenez and Jota both getting strikes away, their efforts proved futile.
Half-time: Arsenal 1 Wolves 0
Wolves were quick out of the blocks in the second-half, but Neves' shot from just outside the edge of the area was pushed behind by Leno. Jimenez then had a chance from a Joao Moutinho corner, but the striker’s on target header was comfortably gathered by the Arsenal stopper.
The visitors were struggling to keep hold of their momentum as the game became stretched with chances at either end. Jota was the driving force of the Wolves attack, bursting into the box before having his shot blocked, but moments later the forward went down inside the Arsenal area, but referee Michael Oliver waved away the Wolves appeals.
Right wing-back Doherty, who was down on the ground in some discomfort early in the half after a clash with Dani Ceballos, helped to keep his team to just the one goal deficit when he cleared an Arsenal corner away from his goal. Shortly after, he had to be replaced, with Ruben Vinagre taking his place.
With 15 minutes on the clock, Wolves got the equaliser their good second-half play deserved. From a quick throw in which caught the Arsenal defence napping, Moutinho was able to lift the ball into the box and straight on to the head of Jimenez, who got above Calum Chambers and guided his effort past Leno.
After recovering from a mix-up in defence, Wolves quickly broke up the other end, but miscommunication between Jota and Jimenez brought a swift halt to their dangerous counter-attack.
Jota continued to frustrate Arsenal with his driving runs, taking on players left, right and centre as he stormed into the hosts area, but the forward was unable to get a clean shot away, allowing Leno to gather the loose ball.
Wolves had all of the late possession as they pushed for the winning goal, but despite the efforts of the players, they had to settle for a point against the Gunners.
Full-time: Arsenal 1 Wolves 1
Arsenal: Leno, Chambers, Luiz, Sokratis, Tierney (Kolasinac 87), Guendouzi, Torreira (Saka 73), Ceballos, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette (Martinelli 60).
Unused subs: Martinez, Bellerin, Willock, Pepe.
Wolves: Patricio, Doherty (Vinagre 71), Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss, Jonny, Neves, Moutinho, Jota (Neto 90), Traore, Jimenez.
Unused subs: Ruddy, Kilman, Gibbs-White, Perry, Cutrone.
Referee: Michael Oliver
