Arsenal’s top four bid reignited after late win against Wolves

By Martyn Herman

London - If Arsenal finish in the Premier League's top four and return to mix it with Europe's elite for the first time since the 2016-17 season they may look back on Thursday's dramatic 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers as a pivotal moment.

With 82 minutes on the clock they still trailed to a 10th-minute goal by Wolves's South Korean forward Hwang Hee-Chan.

But just when the situation began to look desperate and with Wolves eyeing fifth place in the table, substitute Nicolas Pepe spun on a sixpence to equalise.

In a frantic finale, Pedro Neto shot agonisingly wide for Wolves and Martin Odegaard went close for Arsenal before skipper Alexandre Lacazette's shot from close range went in off the arms of Wolves keeper Jose Sa to send the home crowd wild.

Arsenal's third successive league win lifted them above West Ham United into fifth place with 45 points, one behind Manchester United but having played two fewer games.

Wolves remained seventh with 40 points.