Late Mkhitaryan strike earns Arsenal 1-1 draw against Wolves

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 11, 2018 Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette retrieves the ball after teammate Henrikh Mkhitaryan scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

ARSENAL 1 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1

LONDON, Nov 11 (Reuters) - A late equaliser from substitute Henrikh Mkhitaryan spared Arsenal's blushes in a 1-1 draw against a well-organised and creative Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League at the Emirates on Sunday.

The visitors had been minutes away from their first victory over the Londoners since 1979 after taking the lead in the 13th minute through Ivan Cavaleiro.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 11, 2018 Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang heads at goal before their first goal Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

The Portuguese forward intercepted a clumsy back pass from Arsenal's Granit Xhaka, ran forward and played a quick one-two with Raul Jimenez on the edge of the area before slotting the ball in at the corner for his second goal of the season.

Arsenal pushed forward in search of an equaliser but left themselves open much of the time, leading to numerous chances at both ends throughout the match.

Mkhitaryan finally managed to maintain the Gunners' unbeaten run - 16 games in all competitions - in the 86th minute, floating a shot in from long range to the bottom right corner past Wolves keeper Rui Patricio.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 11, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Adama Traore shoots at goal REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Wolves substitute Adama Traore very nearly won the match for the visitors in extra time, racing onto a long pass and outstripping defender Rob Holding with his pace, but he was only able to fire his shot into Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno's chest.

The result leaves Arsenal fifth in the league and three points behind north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, while Wolves stayed 11th.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 11, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Morgan Gibbs-White hits the crossbar with a shot REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

(Reporting by Hugh Lawson, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 11, 2018 Arsenal's Matteo Guendouzi celebrates their first goal REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 11, 2018 Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ryan Bennett Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 11, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Rui Patricio in action with Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 11, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Jonny Castro in action with Arsenal's Mesut Ozil Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 11, 2018 Arsenal's Matteo Guendouzi in action Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 11, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matt Doherty in action with Arsenal's Matteo Guendouzi REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 11, 2018 Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette shoots at goal REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 11, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ryan Bennett in action with Arsenal's Henrikh Mkhitaryan Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.