Former England captain Gary Lineker remains confident that Arsenal will ultimately secure the Premier League title, even after their momentum stalled in a frustrating 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Analyzing the midweek action on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker noted that while the Gunners appear to be “stumbling” toward the finish line, their current position remains strong. Mikel Arteta’s squad looked poised to claim all three points at Molineux after establishing a commanding two-goal cushion, only to surrender their lead in the final stages of the match.
The draw marks a significant missed opportunity for the North London side to tighten their grip on the trophy. After dominating large portions of the encounter, defensive lapses allowed Wolves to claw back into the game, ultimately forcing a stalemate that breathes new life into the chasing pack. Lineker suggested that this setback could serve as a necessary wake-up call for the squad, highlighting specific areas that require immediate tactical refinement if they hope to hold off a relentless Manchester City.
“I think they will still go on to win the title, but this might be a bit of a push they need to fix. (Manchester) City are now just five points behind Arsenal and they have a game in hand.”
The mathematical advantage has indeed shifted in favor of the defending champions. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City now sits just five points adrift with an extra game to play, meaning the gap could shrink to a mere two points. This weekend presents a high-stakes scenario for both contenders. Manchester City will host Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, February 21, aiming to apply maximum pressure before Arsenal travels to face their bitter rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, in a crucial North London Derby on Sunday afternoon.
Arteta now faces the challenge of rebuilding his team’s psychological resilience following two consecutive draws. Lineker’s “stumbling” prediction underscores the growing tension at the top of the table as the 2025/26 season enters its final third. While the Gunners still control their own destiny, the looming head-to-head battle with City in April increasingly looks like the definitive moment that will decide whether the trophy returns to North London or stays in Manchester.
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