Arsenal 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers: 5 Talking Points as Gunners score dramatic late winner | Premier League 2021-22

#3 Arsenal attempt shots galore, but an own goal does the trick

Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League

In what seemed like a long night for Arsenal, Jose Sa scored an own goal to hand the Gunners three valuable points.

While Lacazette did his best during the move, he unintentionally kicked the ball into the ground, which then deflected into the net off Sa's palm. It was an unlucky goal to concede for the Portuguese, but credit to the Gunners for forcing the goalkeeper into making a mistake.

The goal, though, took the spotlight away from the bigger issues Arteta needs to address. One of them was their inefficiency in front of goal, despite registering 26 attempts.

The hosts shouldn't have left it that late for the game to be decided, taking into consideration the amount of chances they had. Lacazette, despite being heavily involved in the winner, was the major culprit in his side's poor display in front of goal.

Arteta needs to find a solution to the Gunners' lack of clinical edge sooner rather than later. Lacazette, for all his work ethic, has scored just three goals in 19 games this league season, showcasing exactly what Arsenal need; a goalscoring number nine.

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#2 Thomas Partey displayed his class by pulling strings from midfield

Thomas Partey has been widely criticized since arriving in the Premier League, but he showed his class when the Gunners needed it the most. The African has been one of the team's best players over the past few weeks as he continues to control games well.

With 70 touches, five long balls, three key passes and six duels won, Partey was absolutely key for the Gunners in the middle of the field. Partey was top-notch with the ball at his feet. He constantly disrupted Wolves' deep block and cleaned up any threat to his defense with ease.

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#1 Arsenal bolster top-four hopes

Manchester United vs Arsenal - Premier League

With the win, the Gunners have moved to fifth in the Premier league table. They are a point behind fourth-placed Manchester United, but have two games in hand. If Arsenal win their game in hand, they would be just two points behind Champions League winners Chelsea after 25 gameweeks.

It would be a testament to how much they've improved since losing their first three games of the season. The Gunners have been tested thoroughly this season. Injuries to key starters Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Martinelli and Kieran Tierney haven't helped their cause.

It will be some achievement if Arsenal qualify for the Champions League next season with the youngest squad in the league and almost no squad depth. The Gunners barely invested in the squad during the winter after letting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave on a free transfer.

The prospect of talented young players like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard playing in the UEFA Champions League would be a sight to behold.