By The SCM Sport Desk
The Emirates Stadium nearly became a nightmare stage for title-chasing Arsenal yesterday, but the magnificent North London cauldron finally E-RUP-TED with a mix of sheer relief and ecstatic celebration after a dramatic, stoppage-time winner sealed a vital 2-1 victory over battling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Gunners needed the helping hand of a Wolves own goal not once, but twice, to escape a massive Premier League shocker right on their own turf, which has been dubbed “The Carpet” for its pristine playing surface.
For much of the afternoon, the famed 60,000-seater stadium—a modern architectural marvel nestled in Islington—was oddly flat.
Despite the hosts dominating possession, the Emirates crowd was restless as their side struggled to break down a resilient Wolves backline, leaving the vast, sweeping stands almost subdued.
Mikel Arteta’s men were laboured and predictable, failing to give the home support much to cheer about until the 70th minute when the breakthrough finally arrived—in bizarre fashion. A Bukayo Saka corner swung in, only for Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to somehow divert it into his own net.
The goal, initially awarded to Saka, sent a wave of relief through the Emirates, though it was hardly the silky football the stadium’s ‘Arsenalisation’ campaign—designed to visually celebrate the club’s history—is meant to inspire.
With the clock ticking past 90 minutes, the Emirates was stunned into absolute silence. Substitute Tolu Arokodare found the net for Wolves, capitalising on a moment of defensive sloppiness to equalise.
The collective groan from the faithful felt like a seismic shift, threatening to turn the modern fortress into a monument to frustration.
But the theatre of the Emirates had one last, truly bonkers twist.
Deep into added time, Saka fired another wicked cross into the box. Under pressure from Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus, hapless Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera headed the ball past his own keeper to make it 2-1.
The Emirates Stadium was transformed in an instant! The roof—or where one would be—nearly lifted off! An overwhelming roar of pure, unadulterated JOY and release washed over the grounds.
Arsenal’s stars celebrated like they had won the title, turning a day of near-disaster on their famous pitch into three precious points. It was a win that was all about the result, not the performance, and for the fans spilling out of the nearby Arsenal Tube station, the chaotic, late-game drama was all that mattered.
Arsenal cling on, but the sight of a stadium built for beautiful football needing two opposition howlers to save the day will give their rivals plenty to chew on.
