Wolverhampton Wanderers produced a dramatic fightback to earn a 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Arsenal at Molineux on February 18, 2026. Arsenal controlled long spells and went two goals up, yet they couldn’t see it out.
Wolves, stuck at the bottom of the table, kept swinging and got their reward deep into stoppage time. After the whistle, the mood turned ugly, with players from both sides clashing as officials rushed in to calm things down.
As a result, Arsenal stay top, but the dropped points tighten the race behind them. Wolves, meanwhile, grab a rare boost in a season that has offered little comfort.
Match recap: Fast start, late collapse – Watch Highlights Here
Arsenal came out sharp and scored almost right away. Inside five minutes, Bukayo Saka nodded in from close range after Declan Rice sent in a pinpoint cross. Saka, used centrally in a No. 10 role after his recent contract news, gave the visitors the perfect start.
For a while, Arsenal looked comfortable. They kept the ball, slowed the game down, and limited Wolves to scraps. Still, the second goal didn’t arrive until after the break.
Around the 55th to 56th minute, Piero Hincapié made it 2-0 with a fierce finish. At that point, it felt like Arsenal had done enough and simply needed to manage the closing stages.
Wolves had other plans. Soon after, Hugo Bueno struck around the hour mark (about 60-61 minutes) to cut the deficit. That goal changed the tone inside Molineux, because the home crowd suddenly believed again, and Wolves played with more freedom.
Then came the moment that stunned Arsenal. In the 94th minute (90+4), confusion at the back, involving Riccardo Calafiori, led to a late equalizer. It was first talked about as an own goal, but teenage debutant Tom Edozie reacted quickest and took the credit after pouncing in the chaos. Wolves had their 2-2, and Arsenal had no time left to respond.
Post-match scenes: Shoves, shouting, and officials stepping in
The final whistle didn’t bring relief; it brought conflict. Arsenal players looked furious after throwing away a two-goal cushion, and Wolves players were in no mood to back down. Several confrontations broke out, with shoves and angry words exchanged.
Reports pointed to Gabriel Jesus getting involved in a push before teammates pulled him away. Referee Paul Tierney and his officials moved quickly to separate players and stop things from getting worse. No red cards followed, but the scenes could still bring a closer look from the FA.
Arsenal Premier League position (as of February 18, 2026)
Arsenal remain first, although their cushion has shrunk.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 27 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 52 | 20 | +32 | 58 |
| 2 | Manchester City | ~27 | 16 | 5 | 5 | ~54 | ~24 | +30 | 53 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
(Arsenal moved to 58 points after drawing, up from 57 after 26 matches. The goal numbers reflect the post-match totals as listed.)
Wolves Premier League position (as of February 18, 2026)
Wolves stay rooted to the bottom, but this point keeps their hopes alive.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 27 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 18 | 52 | -34 | 10 |
(The draw lifts Wolves to 10 points from 9 after 26 games, with only a small change to their goal difference.)
What it means: Arsenal rue missed chances, Wolves take heart
Mikel Arteta will focus on how his side lost control after going 2-0 up. Arsenal had the ball, created openings, and looked set for three points. However, a couple of shaky moments at the back turned a win into a draw. With Manchester City closing in, Arsenal can’t afford many more slips like this.
On the other side, Wolves will take real encouragement from their response. Bueno’s goal gave them a way back, and Edozie’s late touch gave the story a memorable finish. The manager, referenced in reports with some uncertainty, will still point to the fight in his team as something to build on.
In the end, Molineux got a Premier League night full of swings and tension. Arsenal left frustrated and under fresh pressure in the title race. Wolves left with a point that felt like a win, plus a reminder that they can still scrap their way out of trouble.
