Arsenal break horrendous record under Arteta vs Wolves

What is the ultimate aim in football? For those who support a team in the higher reaches of the pyramid, it’s to win trophies. But winning a match with the last kick of the game is universally adored by all, which is exactly what Arsenal treated us all to.

It doesn’t get much sweeter than that. Pure bedlam. Memories of Thomas Vermaelen against Newcastle or Danny Welbeck against Leicester immediately spring to mind. Coming from behind to beat a team who hadn’t lost when taking the lead since 2018 was a special moment.

Money can’t buy that emotion. And, for the entirety of Mikel Arteta’s reign, fans have been short-changed.

Arsenal under Arteta have broken numerous records. Most of them unwanted. Everyone remembers Burnley’s first ever Premier League win over Arsenal, the first time no European football graced north London in 25 years, the worst start to a league season in 67, and so on and so forth.

Arsenal break horrendous record under Arteta vs Wolves with 2-1 Premier League win the first comeback win having trailed at half-time

Another unwanted feather in that cap has been comeback wins. To put it simply, there haven’t been any of this ilk. Not once have Arsenal trailed a Premier League match at half-time since the manager came in and won.

There is no escape in the sense that perhaps it is a small sample size, as prior to Thursday Arsenal had gone into the break behind on 19 occasions. As per Orbinho, only four of those saw the Gunners even claim a single point.

What a way to end that hoodoo.

It took until the 95th minute for this half-time curse to be banished to the history books, although the fact that this horrendous record had gone on for so long is something of surprise. After the game everyone heralded the fighting spirit within the group. There is a unity there unlike any seen for many years, yet across 19 matches prior that wasn’t enough to seal a win.

Quality plays a part, as many of those half-time deficits came with players long gone from the club who were cared only about their paycheques and their Dubai holiday homes. Would the side this time last year have won this match? Not a chance. None whatsoever.

The quality, the squad unity, the manager and the crowd, in no particular order, all played their part. As much as elation is the overriding emotion, the importance of the win in the context of the season can’t be overlooked either. Caught up in the buzz of such a dramatic victory acts as a brief smokescreen, one that when it dissipates offers a reminder of how crucial this was.

Removing this particular monkey off the back couldn’t have come at a better time. A five point gap opens up over Wolves, a six point gap opens up over Tottenham, and the potential is there to go five points clear of Manchester United if the games in hand are executed.

A night of Premier League football to savour.