Mikel Arteta has challenged his Arsenal team to seal a place in the Premier League’s top four after they struck twice in the final minutes to clinch a dramatic 2-1 win against Wolves.

Arteta’s side trailed to Hwang Hee-chan’s early goal at the Emirates Stadium in Thursday’s crucial clash between the top four contenders.

But Nicolas Pepe came off the bench to equalise in the 82nd minute before Wolves keeper Jose Sa deflected Alexandre Lacazette’s shot into his own net in the final seconds.

Arsenal’s third successive league victory moved them up to fifth place and they sit just one point behind fourth placed Manchester United with two games in hand in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Arsenal’s tally of 14 league victories from September onwards has only been bettered by Manchester City and Liverpool.

It is a remarkable revival after they made the worst start to a season in 67 years with three consecutive defeats.

“When you win the match after going 1-0 down against Wolves, it is really difficult but we did it. A really important win for this,” Arteta said.

“After three defeats in the first three games we had to avoid relegation. You just have to be consistent with your vision and the way you prepare and believe the result will come.

“At the end of May we want to be fighting for those places.”

Watch Arteta’s full post-match presser:

Once again, Wolves, who stay seventh, were denied by Arsenal — just two weeks after the Gunners’ 1-0 win at Molineux.

Arsenal’s prolonged celebrations at the final whistle on that occasion irked Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, who claimed it was like they had won the league rather than just three points.

Neves must have felt a sense of deja vu as Arsenal cavorted around the pitch at the climax of another thrilling triumph.

“I’m unhappy because we lost but at the same time proud of my players. They did everything I asked of them,” Wolves boss Bruno Lage said.