Wolverhampton Wanderers snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw against league leaders Arsenal on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in a result that significantly impacts the Premier League title race. A late goal from debutant Tom Edozie, deflecting off Riccardo Calafiori, denied Arsenal the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points.
The match at Molineux saw Arsenal take a commanding two-goal lead, with Bukayo Saka opening the scoring in the 5th minute, celebrating his recent five-year contract extension with the club. Piero Hincapié then doubled the advantage in the 56th minute, marking his first goal for Arsenal. However, Wolves mounted a spirited comeback, beginning with a goal from Hugo Bueno in the 61st minute.
The equalizer arrived in added time, with Edozie’s effort proving decisive. The draw leaves Arsenal just five points ahead of Manchester City, having played a game more, intensifying the pressure in the title battle. The result is a major boost for City, who will view this slip-up as a significant opportunity to close the gap.
Arsenal’s early dominance was evident, with Mikel Arteta’s decision to deploy Bukayo Saka in the number-10 role immediately paying dividends. Saka’s goal came after sustained pressure, capitalizing on a header from Declan Rice. José Sá, the Wolves goalkeeper, was forced into making several key saves in the first half, denying Gabriel Martinelli after initially saving from Noni Madueke.
Despite their early struggles, Wolves demonstrated resilience, particularly after Bueno’s goal. The introduction of Edozie proved to be a game-changing moment for Gary O’Neil’s side. The debutant’s late strike, albeit with a deflection, showcased the team’s determination to fight until the final whistle.
The game highlighted Arsenal’s vulnerability, particularly their inability to see out a two-goal lead against a team positioned at the bottom of the league. This is the second consecutive game where Arsenal has dropped points, raising questions about their consistency and ability to handle pressure during the crucial stages of the season.
Paul Merson, speaking to Sky Sports, was critical of Arsenal’s performance, labeling them “slow and lazy” and predicting that talk of “bottle jobs” will intensify. His assessment reflects a growing concern about Arsenal’s mental fortitude as the title race heats up.
Wolves, meanwhile, will take confidence from their performance against the league leaders. Manager Gary O’Neil emphasized the team’s commitment to fighting for every point, stating, “We’ll be ready to run and fight.” This attitude was clearly on display throughout the match, culminating in Edozie’s dramatic winner.
The draw leaves Wolves still at the bottom of the Premier League table with 10 points from 21 games, but the performance against Arsenal provides a much-needed morale boost. Arsenal, with 58 points from 21 games, remain at the top, but their advantage is now significantly reduced. The pressure is now firmly on Arteta’s side to regain their composure and avoid further slip-ups.
The implications of this result extend beyond the immediate standings. It throws the title race wide open, giving Manchester City a clear path to potentially overtake Arsenal. The coming weeks will be crucial for both teams as they navigate a challenging schedule and battle for the Premier League crown.
Arsenal’s missed opportunity to extend their lead will undoubtedly be a source of frustration for Arteta and his players. They will need to address the issues that led to their collapse against Wolves and demonstrate greater resilience in their upcoming fixtures. The title race is far from over, but Arsenal’s grip on first place is now considerably looser.
