Arsenal kept themselves right in contention for a Champions League place on Thursday evening with a stunning come-from-behind victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It initially looked like it was going to be a frustrating evening for the Gunners as Hwang-Hee Chan gave Wolves the lead at the Emirates Stadium.
Record signing Nicolas Pepe hauled Mikel Arteta ’s men level though with a lovely strike of his own before Jose Sa was the guilty party for the visitors late on as he patted Alexandre Lacazette ’s effort into his own goal - triggering wild celebrations from the home crowd and players alike.
With Arsenal taking a significant step towards their return to Europe’s top table, here is how the national media called the victory on Thursday night.
THE GUARDIAN
A week ago it was tempting to pay Mikel Arteta little heed when he claimed to have detected a fundamental change in Nicolas Pépé’s demeanour. It smacked of a manager trying to talk up a failed club record signing in time for the summer and it was hardly the first time he had spoken of a turning point for the Ivorian. But by the end this felt like one for both player and, thrillingly for all those who celebrated wildly after Arsenal snatched the points in injury time, a club whose tails are up at long last.
Champions League places are secured through nights like this: if any doubt remained, it should now be acknowledged that Arteta’s team have an excellent chance of achieving their end.
DAILY MAIL
Not even the rather officious decision to take the winner from Lacazette and call it an own goal could puncture the jubilation at Arsenal.
They had trailed for most of the game, fought their frustration and rising levels of anxiety as their efforts came to nothing and then turn the game on its head in the closing stages.
It was the fifth minute of stoppage time when Lacazette's shot from a tight angle was diverted into the net by goalkeeper Jose Sa's attempted save, and the home crowd celebrated as if they were back in the Champions League and not simply back in the race.
THE SUN
Alexandre Lacazette finally delivered the goods to rescue Arsenal’s top-four dream.
The veteran Frenchman’s 95th-minute effort was steered into his own net by keeper Jose Sa to complete a stunning comeback from Mikel Arteta’s men.
And the wild scenes of jubilation at the final whistle were confirmation this Arsenal team are not going to give up on their Champions League hopes without a real fight.
Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves accused the Gunners of celebrating as if they had won the league when they triumphed at Molineux a fortnight ago.
But that was nothing compared to the mayhem which greeted the final whistle after this late and great escape.
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THE TELEGRAPH
It has been a long time since the Emirates Stadium sounded like this, and a long time since these supporters have felt so close to the team they are watching on the pitch. Anyone within earshot of the ground would have felt something stirring at 20 minutes to 10 on Thursday night, when Arsenal secured a victory that could prove to be one of the most important in Mikel Arteta’s grand rebuilding project.
The noise that greeted Arsenal’s 95th-minute winner, as Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa deflected Alexandre Lacazette's shot into his own net, made this feel like so much more than just three points. In the delirium of it all, it felt like vindication for Arteta and his young team, and affirmation from the home supporters who are now buying into this process.
