Arsenal 1-1 Wolves: Unai Emery's Gunners throw away another lead at the Emirates

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Malik Ouzia @MalikOuzia_2 November 2019

Unai Emery’s problems mounted as Raul Jimenez’s second half header earned Wolves a 1-1 draw at the Emirates, and left Arsenal without a league win since October 6.

In the first game at the Emirates since captain Granit Xhaka’s ugly spat with his own fans, stand-in skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had given the Gunners the lead with his 50th goal for the club, but sloppy defending allowed Jimenez to steal a share of the points 14 minutes from time.

After his impressive performance at Anfield in midweek, Mesut Ozil was handed his first home league start of the season, while Lucas Torreira came into the midfield as Xhaka was left out of the squad altogether.

Nuno Espirito Santo made eleven changes to the Wolves team that had been knocked out of the EFL Cup by Aston Villa, and his side began on the front foot, looking threatening without forcing Bernd Leno into a save of note.

But midway through the first half it was the home side that look the lead as David Luiz’s cross squirmed through to Alexandre Lacazette and he teed up Aubameyang for a first-time finish into the bottom corner.

The Gunners missed a great chance to double the lead minutes later as Conor Coady and Leander Dendoncker made a mess of dealing with Callum Chambers’ cross, but Torreira could only shoot straight at Rui Patricio.

Lacazette scuffed a left-footed effort after good work from Ceballos, before Matt Doherty tested Leno at the other end, meeting Diogo Jota’s cut back.

The visitors began the second half as they had the first, putting Arsenal under pressure, and the anxiety was tangible around the Emirates, particularly whenever the ball was at Leno’s feet.

On the hour mark, Unai Emery sent impressive Brazilian youngster Gabriel Martinelli on for Lacazette, and his arrival sparked a shift in formation, with Ozil moving wide.

But it was Arsenal’s defensive frailties that would eventually show once more, as they were caught napping by a quick throw-in and Jimenez got up between Chambers and Sokratis to head home.

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