EPL: Arsenal Keep Title Hopes Alive with Hard-Fought Win Over Wolves

Arsenal secured a crucial 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, thanks to Riccardo Calafiori's late goal, to keep their title hopes alive.

Arsenal secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, extending their winning streak against Wolves to eight successive Premier League games. The match was marred by chaos, with both teams reduced to 10 men.

Wolverhampton Wanderers had the first opportunity of the game after 10 minutes, as Nelson Semedo delivered a brilliant cross for Pablo Sarabia, who sliced his volley just off-target. Arsenal's best chances fell to Kai Havertz, who headed marginally wide from a Leandro Trossard cross, and then had another header saved by Jose Sa's outstretched leg five minutes later.

Despite playing for more than half of the match with ten men, Arsenal take all three points 👏#WOLARS pic.twitter.com/oiJmN8Gzk6

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 25, 2025

The visitors suffered a setback just before the break when Myles Lewis-Skelly was harshly sent off for a foul on Matt Doherty. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Arsenal started the second half strongly, with Declan Rice testing Jose Sa's palms with a powerful strike. It took Wolverhampton Wanderers an hour to record their first shot on target, with Hwang Hee-Chan testing David Raya from distance.

With the numerical advantage, the hosts began to assert their dominance. Matheus Cunha, who has been linked to Arsenal, forced David Raya into action once again, as the goalkeeper tipped the Brazilian's deflected effort away. Cunha then shot inches wide from the resulting corner, narrowly missing the opportunity to score.

Our will to win 👊

📺 Watch the highlights from our 1-0 victory against Wolves now. pic.twitter.com/DvGLKxjJqD

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 25, 2025

The dynamics of the match shifted dramatically when Joao Gomes received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, leveling the playing field with a second red card. Arsenal capitalized on this newfound parity four minutes later, as substitute Riccardo Calafiori struck a half-volley that found its way into the bottom corner, giving the visitors the lead.

A message from our match-winner 😍 pic.twitter.com/U37meOyGl1

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 25, 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers pushed for an equalizer in the late stages of the match, with Rayan Ait-Nouri and Cunha both forcing Raya into crucial saves. However, Arsenal's defense held firm, securing three vital points that keep them in the title race. The win marked Arsenal's first clean sheet in 11 away league games, while Wolverhampton Wanderers extended their winless streak in the league to five matches.

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