No one will argue, despite Wolves heroic defending, that Arsenal didn’t deserve this result. However that they only got it in the 94th minute of extra time was sickening.
Mick McCarthy with characteristically commendable honesty summed it up in his post match interview: “Arsenal have had all the chances; they’ve had all the play. They’re better than us. I’ve no problem with that, but losing like we did in the last minute is bitterly disappointing”.
At least Wenger, for once, didn’t have anything to complain about at the end of the match after Wolves skipper Karl Henry was harshly dismissed where a booking would have done, for a sliding tackle on Rossisky that did seem to get the ball. Arsenal squandered several more chances and Wolves still hung on heroically and looked set to take a fine point from the Emirates when Zubar let Bentner get in front of him in the 94th minute to find the incisive finish Arsenal had been looking in vain for the previous 93 minutes.
Congratulations for Mancienne on a very strong game in midfield and to Hahnemann - although Arsenal missed the target more than they hit it, he still had plently of saves to make, and did it well. Finally, a must-do-better to Keogh, a 70th-minute substitute, who didn’t look ready for this game and needs to sharpen up a bit again – perhaps not against Arsenal when we could take a point againt the odds, Mick?
Losses for the other of the bottom 7 teams in action softens the blow, and while this outcome is easier to take with Wolves remaining in 14th than if we’d been in 18th, this will rank among the many ‘might-have-beens’ of this season.
