Arsenal netted a dramatic last-minute winner to win 2-1 against top-four rivals Wolves at the Emirates having fallen behind in the first half.
Hwang Hee-Chan's 10th-minute strike gave Bruno Lage's side a priceless lead before late goals from Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette saved the day for Mikel Arteta's men.
It was an evening of vindication for Gunners boss Arteta, whose second half substitutes helped change the game and secure a valuable three points.
Eddie Nketiah and Pepe – who replaced Cedric Soares and Gabriel Martinelli respectively late on – combined for the equalising goal, while the winner also came down the Arsenal right flank.
The late goals look likely to be crucial in Arsenal’s ambitions this season as they battle for a spot in the top four of the Premier League – they are now just one point off Manchester United with two games in hand.
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Arteta’s second half substitutes earned the praise of Belgium boss Roberto Martinez – formerly coach of Swansea, Wigan and Everton – after the game.
Martinez heaped praise on the Gunners coach for bringing on an extra striker and changing Arsenal’s shape, which helped overload the right flank – which ultimately brought about both goals.
Martinez explained on Amazon Prime after the game: "There are key moments for a manager to give your players an advantage, and bringing Pepe into that wing-back role and taking a risk of trying to get an extra body in the box has paid off.
"Obviously with the second goal, you can say that the deflection helped it in but, Arsenal earned their luck because they created that momentum."
Martinez’s fellow pundit Lee Dixon, formerly of Arsenal, also praised Arteta for his decisions during the second half.
The former right-back added: "The substitutions changed the game and that impetus and the introduction of Pepe coming on and being a little bit more direct.
"I thought they took the game to Wolves and got spells of possession that put them under pressure a little bit and towards the end, it’s unlucky from a Wolves point of view but Arsenal won’t mind that."
Arteta said in his post-match interview: “It was an important win for us. The way we won it creates such a belief and togetherness and an atmosphere and cohesion with our fans as well and that’s extremely necessary. This is a really young squad and we need that.
"After three defeats in the first three games we had to avoid relegation. That was the first aim. Then we took it game by game ... you just have to be consistent with your vision and the way you prepare and believe the result will come.”
Arsenal do not have a Premier League match this weekend with their next game a trip to Watford on 6 March.
