Arsenal blows two-goal lead at Wolves to boost Man City's Premier League title chances
Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus and William Saliba react during the Premier League soccer match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal in Wolverhampton, England, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Credit: AP/Dave Shopland
WOLVERHAMPTON, England — Arsenal blew a two-goal lead at last-place Wolves on Wednesday to give a huge boost to Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title.
The league leader was held to a surprise 2-2 draw at Molineux, having led 2-0 in the second half.
Tom Edozie's goal in the fourth minute of added time completed Wolves' comeback.
“There was a big difference in how we played in the first half and the second half. We dropped our standards and we got punished for it,” Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka told the BBC.
The draw means Arsenal has dropped points in back-to-back games and leaves it just five ahead of second-place City, having played a game more.
With the top two still to play each other at City's Etihad Stadium, the title race is too close to call.
“(It's) time to focus on ourselves, improve our standards and improve our performances and it is in our control,” Saka said.
Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the Premier League soccer match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal in Wolverhampton, England, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Credit: AP/Dave Shopland
Arsenal has led the way for the majority of the season and one bookmaker paid out on Mikel Arteta's team winning the title after it opened up a nine-point lead earlier this month.
But Wednesday's result was the latest sign that it is feeling the pressure, having finished runner up in each of the last three seasons. It has won just two of its last seven league games.
Having blown a lead against Brentford last week, it was even worse at a Wolves team that has won just one game all season.
Victory looked all but secured after Saka gave Arsenal the lead with a header in the fifth minute and Piero Hincapie ran through to blast in the second in the 56th.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Hugo Bueno celebrates with teammates after scoring his side the first goal during the Premier League soccer match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal in Wolverhampton, England, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Credit: AP/Dave Shopland
But Wolves' fightback began with Hugo Bueno's curling shot into the top corner in the 61st.
Edozie's effort earned the home team only its 10th point of a campaign that looks certain to end in relegation. While it did little for Wolves' chances of survival, it may have had a major impact at the top of the standings.
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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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