Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admits his team must take responsibility after conceding last-minute equaliser to Wolves at Emirates Stadium in London

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faced the media on Wednesday night after his team threw away a 2-0 lead against Wolves, conceding in the 94th minute to leave the Gunners with a frustrating 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

The result has raised questions about the team’s mental strength as they chase the Premier League title.

Arteta did not shy away from admitting his side’s shortcomings.

“Any question, any criticism, any opinion, you have to take it on the chin today,” he said.

“That’s it. Any bullet, take it, because we didn’t perform at the level that is required.”

Squandered Opportunities and Pressure

The draw denied Arsenal the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points, and if Manchester City win their game in hand, the margin will shrink to just two points.

Arteta acknowledged that the team had been careless in possession and repeatedly failed to dominate the game.

“It was one after the other, to be fair. Even though we scored the second goal, we never got a grip and dominance of the game,” he said.

“It’s difficult to accept it in the second half how we didn’t perform at any level in any aspect of the game.”

Arteta emphasised that his team knows what is required but failed to execute it throughout the match.

“We weren’t able to do it throughout the game, and it was in various sequences and a lot of times as well.

That’s why we have to do better. But we didn’t do it, and that’s the reality.”

Can Arsenal Bounce Back?

When asked if Arsenal were strong enough to recover from this setback, Arteta remained cautiously optimistic.

“We’ve always done it, but you are as strong as to show it the next time you do it.

To talk and say it here, it’s simple, and we have to do it on the pitch,” he said, urging his players to prove their resilience in upcoming matches.

Wolves Celebrate Late Heroics

For Wolves, the 94th-minute equaliser from Tom Edozie felt like a victory.

Manager Rob Edwards praised his team’s determination.

“It was a great moment. A good night for the football club.

It was only a draw, but to come back from 2-0 down against one of the best teams in Europe is pretty special,” he said.

Edwards also highlighted the fight and composure shown by his players.

“We didn’t lose our heads, took control for long periods. Really proud of the players.

We want to try to build some momentum and a connection around the place.”

He admitted the fans could have been more supportive early on but noted the energy and spirit of his squad shone through in the end.

“Some really good energy tonight, we have to try to bottle it,” he added.

Implications for the Title Race

The result keeps Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table but reduces their cushion over Manchester City.

With the title race heating up, Arteta’s side will need to rediscover consistency and composure, particularly in closing out games against lower-ranked opponents.

Wolves, meanwhile, will take confidence from the point earned and hope to build on it in the coming fixtures.

What’s Next?

Arsenal face a crucial run of fixtures in the coming weeks, including clashes against top-six rivals and domestic cup commitments.

Arteta will be looking for a reaction from his players to prove they can handle pressure.

Wolves will aim to use the momentum from their dramatic comeback to climb away from the relegation battle.

Summary

Arsenal squandered a 2-0 lead at home against Wolves, conceding a 94th-minute equaliser that has cast doubt on their mental toughness in the Premier League title race.

Mikel Arteta admitted his side underperformed and must “take the bullet” for mistakes in possession and execution.

Wolves manager Rob Edwards praised his team’s fight and composure, describing the draw as a morale-boosting result.

With Arsenal’s lead over Manchester City potentially reduced to just two points, both clubs face critical upcoming fixtures that could shape the remainder of the season.