Arsenal 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral’s post-match review of Arsenal 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday, 13 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match

Arsenal beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 in a tense Premier League clash at the Emirates. The first half was fairly even, with Arsenal making an early change when Myles Lewis-Skelly replaced Ben White after 31 minutes, but neither side could find the net before the break. Coming off a mixed run including a recent loss to Aston Villa but strong wins against Brentford and Tottenham, Arsenal looked to build momentum, while Wolves, on a dismal streak of five straight defeats, struggled to create much.

The game burst into life in the second half with more substitutions, as Arsenal brought on Martin Ødegaard for Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard for Gabriel Martinelli at 57 minutes, followed by Mikel Merino replacing Martín Zubimendi a minute later. Wolves picked up yellow cards for Hee-chan Hwang and Matt Doherty around the hour mark, and Arsenal took the lead in bizarre fashion when Wolves’ keeper Sam Johnstone scored an own goal in the 70th minute. Late drama unfolded as Wolves equalised through Tolu Arokodare in the 90th minute, assisted by Mateus Mané, but Arsenal snatched the win with another own goal from Wolves’ Yerson Mosquera in the 94th minute, sealing three points that keep them flying high after their solid recent form.

Arsenal dominated possession with nearly 70% of the ball, which helped them control the tempo and rack up eight corners compared to none for Wolves, showing how they pinned their opponents back for long spells. Successful dribbles were close, with Arsenal edging it slightly, suggesting both sides had players willing to take risks, but Wolves’ four yellow cards highlighted their frustration and perhaps some rash challenges under pressure. No red cards or penalties were involved, and while Arsenal recorded no assists, Wolves managed one, underlining their reliance on a late counter to get back into the game.

Both teams used all five substitutions, with Arsenal making changes like Gabriel Jesus replacing Viktor Gyökeres in the 81st minute to freshen up their attack, and Wolves introducing Tolu Arokodare and Jackson Tchatchoua at 69 minutes, which briefly sparked their comeback before the final twist.

The match’s turning points came late, starting with Sam Johnstone’s unfortunate own goal in the 70th minute that gave Arsenal the lead after Wolves had soaked up pressure. Wolves fought back impressively, with Tolu Arokodare coming off the bench at 69 minutes to score their equaliser in the 90th minute, assisted by fellow substitute Mateus Mané who had entered just four minutes earlier. The drama peaked in stoppage time when Yerson Mosquera’s own goal in the 94th minute handed Arsenal the win, though Wolves picked up late yellows for Mosquera and Emmanuel Agbadou as tempers flared.

Arsenal lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with a solid backline that saw Ben White start but make way early for Myles Lewis-Skelly, allowing them to maintain control in midfield where Martín Zubimendi featured before Mikel Merino took over. Up front, the attacking trio including Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyökeres provided threats, with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus coming on to add fresh energy and link play effectively. Bukayo Saka stood out on the wing, creating chances in a setup that emphasised width and quick transitions.

Wolverhampton Wanderers set up in a 3-5-2 shape, relying on a compact defence featuring players like Yerson Mosquera and Toti, who started but was later replaced by Mateus Mané, to frustrate Arsenal’s attacks. In midfield, Matt Doherty and Ladislav Krejci provided width before substitutions brought on Jackson Tchatchoua and Fer López, while up top Hee-chan Hwang and Jørgen Strand Larsen led the line until Tolu Arokodare came on to make a key impact. The formation allowed for counter-attacks, with Jhon Arias entering late to boost creativity.

Bukayo Saka earned Coral’s Man of the Match award for his tireless performance on Arsenal’s right flank, where he created one big chance and delivered three key passes that kept Wolves’ defence on their toes. Even without scoring or assisting directly, his ability to beat defenders and open up space was crucial in a game decided by fine margins. Starting the match, Saka’s energy helped Arsenal maintain their dominance and ultimately secure the late victory.

Recent Premier League matches:

• Win: 2-1 vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Aston Villa (A)
• Win: 2-0 vs Brentford (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Chelsea (A)
• Win: 4-1 vs Tottenham Hotspur (H)

Recent Premier League matches:

• Loss: 1-2 vs Arsenal (A)
• Loss: 1-4 vs Manchester United (H)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Nottingham Forest (H)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Aston Villa (A)
• Loss: 0-2 vs Crystal Palace (H)

Arsenal have just edged out Wolverhampton Wanderers with a 2-1 win at home, keeping them top of the table on 36 points after a run that includes victories over Brentford and Tottenham but a recent slip against Aston Villa. They’ll look to extend their lead when they face Everton next on 20 December 2025 at 20:00, with the Toffees sitting ninth on 24 points and capable of causing problems if Arsenal aren’t at their best. A win here could solidify their title push, especially coming off this hard-fought success.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have just suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Arsenal, extending their miserable form with five losses in a row, including heavy defeats to Manchester United and narrow ones against Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, leaving them rock bottom on two points. They desperately need a turnaround in their next fixture against Brentford on 20 December 2025 at 15:00, where the Bees are 14th on 20 points and could pile on more pressure if Wolves don’t find some fight. Picking up points here is vital to avoid being cut adrift in the relegation battle.

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