Wolverhampton beat Arsenal in an away match for the first time in more than four decades, winning 2-1 on Sunday in the Premier League in a game overshadowed by a serious head injury to Wolves forward Raul Jimenez.
The 29-year-old Jimenez was taken away on a stretcher in the fifth minute after a collision with Arsenal defender David Luiz while both challenged for a corner from Willian. While Wolves players were visibly upset by the incident, they went on to take control of the match.
Wolves opened the scoring in the 27th when Pedro Neto slotted in a rebound after Leander Dendoncker's header crashed off the crossbar and fell to Neto in the six-yard box. Adama Traore created the chance, beating Kieran Tierney with a run down the right before the winger lifted the ball into a dangerous area.
Arsenal's Gabriel celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium, London, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Catherine IvillPool via AP)
Gabriel equalized for Arsenal three minutes later with a towering header as four defenders, including one pulling his shirt couldn't stop the Brazilian from scoring.
Wolves made it 2-1 in the 42nd when Daniel Podence took advantage of the rebound after goalkeeper Bernd Leno couldn't collect Neto's shot, which bounced off his legs for Podence to volley home. Neto's run through Arsenal's shaky defense created panic in the penalty box and allowed Podence to drift in to pounce on the loose ball.
Traore nearly made it 3-1 in the fifth minute of injury time of the first half after cutting in from the right, but his shot crashed into the side netting. Willian nearly equalized for Arsenal with a free kick in the 57th, but it rose just over the bar. Rob Holding also had an open header but couldn't connect with a Saka cross.
Arsenal's David Luiz receives treatment after a head clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium, London, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Catherine IvillPool via AP)
It was the first away win for Wolves against Arsenal since 1979, bringing the team up to sixth in the Premier League. Arsenal, meanwhile, hasn't won a Premier League game since Nov. 1, when the Gunners beat Manchester United, and languish in 14th place.
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Arsenal's David Luiz watches as Wolverhampton Wanderers' Raul Jimenez is taken from the field following their head clash during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium, London, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Catherine IvillPool via AP)
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Daniel Podence, second left, scores his team's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium, London, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Catherine IvillPool via AP)