Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta delivered a scathing critique of his side’s lack of composure after they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night. The Gunners appeared to be cruising toward a vital three points at Molineux after Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapié found the net early in each half. However, a spirited resurgence from the hosts, capped by goals from Hugo Bueno and debutant Tom Edozie, forced the Premier League leaders to settle for a point, significantly damaging their momentum in the title race.
The result marks a major setback for the North London side, who missed the opportunity to extend their advantage at the summit of the table. Despite dominating the opening hour, Arsenal’s intensity vanished as the match progressed, allowing the bottom-placed side to gain confidence and eventually capitalize on a defensive breakdown in the 94th minute. Arteta made no excuses for the collapse, suggesting that the team’s failure to execute fundamental tasks during the second period invited the late heartbreak.
“Very tough to accept it,” Arteta told Sky Sports during an emotionally charged post-match interview. “In the second half we did not perform in the way we should and the way we require to win a Premier League match. It is better not to judge it, we are all too emotional about it. You have to take the hit because we deserve it. It is very easy with emotion to say things that can damage the team. You have to go through tough periods. Today at the last minute, we paid the price. We have to do basic things much better than we have done.”
The Spaniard’s uncharacteristic bluntness highlights the mounting pressure as Manchester City continues to loom in the rear-view mirror. While Arsenal remains five points clear, their rivals possess a game in hand, meaning every dropped point at this stage of the season carries immense weight. Arteta’s insistence that the team “paid the price” for poor game management suggests that he expects an immediate response from his players before their high-stakes derby against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
As the squad prepares for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the coaching staff must address the sudden lapses in defensive organization that allowed Wolves back into the contest. For a team with championship aspirations, the inability to close out games against relegation-threatened opposition serves as a stark warning. Arteta now faces the challenge of shielding his players from the fallout while ensuring they rediscover the clinical edge that defined their early-season form.
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