Arsenal 1 Wolves 0:ARSENAL'S REPUTATIONS precede them these days. The persecution complex deep-rooted in these parts ensures opponents arrive braced for every hearty challenge to prompt furious protests as home players surround the referee. Yet they should also know by now that the pursuit will only be checked by the final whistle. This team are taking over Manchester United's mantle for winning late points; their persistence is not in doubt.

What might have been a chastening week ended with Arsenal encouraged, their two-pronged assault on major honours intact when it could so easily have been wrecked. Barcelona’s inability to transform utter dominance into an irretrievable advantage has offered Arsène Wenger’s team real hope for tomorrow’s second leg at Camp Nou.

Their late goal flurry in the first game was unforeseen. Victory here on Saturday was not but, as this contest drifted into a fifth minute of stoppage time, the hosts seemed spent. Cue Nicklas Bendtner’s header from Bacary Sagna’s cross and this depleted side continue to cling to the title race.

Had a resilient and committed Wolves team secured an unlikely draw then Arsenal would have travelled to Spain deflated and demoralised. A five-point deficit from the summit would have felt irretrievable, even in this most unpredictable of title races.

Instead, they touch down in Catalonia infused by the belief that anything is possible. Such is the conviction that has been generated by six stoppage-time goals in as many Premier League fixtures.

The management, whipped into a frenzy of frustration as this game edged towards its dramatic conclusion, would presumably crave progress less fraught, though there is admiration to be had in this team’s persistence.

“It is mental resilience,” said Wenger. “It is the tenacity of the players and the mental strength these players have in them. That’s why I want them so much to be successful because I feel they have in their bodies and in their heads the spirit of champions.”

The afternoon’s furore surrounded Karl Henry’s dismissal 24 minutes from time, his sliding lunge taking man and ball and, while Tomas Rosicky writhed in apparent agony, home players surrounded Andre Marriner. Wolves’ energy was drained yet further, their rearguard action stretched and energy steadily sapped until Bendtner headed in the winner.

The hosts merited their victory, but profligacy had offered the visitors hope.

“They are better than us, had more of the ball, more chances, our keeper made great saves, but you have to put the ball in the net, don’t you?” Mick McCarthy said.

“They deserved to win, but they didn’t deserve to get their goal when we were down to 10 and knackered.”

Wolves, five points clear of the relegation zone, should collect enough points in their remaining fixtures to retain top-flight status. Their spirit has been admirable.

Whether Arsenal go on to collect the silverware the manager craves, it is remarkable that their pursuit continues. Wenger’s squad has been rendered paper-thin with four players – Abou Diaby, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Bendtner – starting this game on the bench purely to protect them with Barcelona in mind.

Alex Song will require a test on a groin problem sustained on Saturday before his availability for tomorrow is known, with Wenger considering playing either the Cameroonian or Sol Campbell at centre-half in the absence of William Gallas.

Theo Walcott’s pace exposed George Elokobi and he must do the same to Maxwell at some stage tomorrow. Nasri’s ability to create in the Cesc Fabregas role will be just as critical.

In truth, having somehow survived a torrid opening 25 minutes at the Emirates, the visitors to Spain should be encouraged merely still to be in contention.

“We will need all the spirit we have,” Wenger said. “But we must remember that we created chances even in the first half when we were dominated [in the first leg].”

Space could open up late on, and as long as Arsenal remain in touch by then they will retain hope. Roles will be reversed from Saturday’s domestic encounter, when Wolves were the ones who had to witness opponents in control of the ball for long stretches, but the resilience must remain.