Arteta rues Gunners inconsistency
Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal has not been consistent enough in recent months after it squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Wolves, in a major blow to their title hopes.
For the first time in Premier League history, the team at the bottom of the table avoided defeat after going two goals down against the leaders, on a dramatic night at Molineux.
Goals from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie had Arsenal on course for a victory that would have taken its seven points clear of title rival Manchester City, only for Hugo Bueno's curler to get Wolves back in contention.
Four minutes into stoppage time, Tom Edozie – having been sent on for his senior Wolves debut – took advantage of David Raya's weak punch to snatch a point for the hosts.
It was the first time Arsenal had failed to win an away Premier League game after holding a two-goal lead since April 2023, versus West Ham, and they have now dropped seven points from winning positions in the competition in 2026.
Only Crystal Palace and West Ham (eight apiece) have dropped more in the new year, and Arsenal have failed to win from a leading position in three of their last five league games (two wins, two draws, one defeat).
"It's very tough to accept it. In the second half, we did not perform in the way we should and the way we require to win a Premier League match," Arteta said.
"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. Everyone wants to do their best. You have to go through tough periods.
"We need to be critical of ourselves because it was not good enough. In the league, it is the reality that we have not been consistent over the last few months.
"You have to stand up. When you have a moment of difficulty, we have to show how much we want it and how good we are. We have to stand up."
Saka's opener ended a run of 15 straight matches without a goal in all competitions for the England international, who started in a new-look number 10 role after reports suggested he had agreed a new long-term contract with the club.
But he was left downcast following Wolves' late equaliser, saying: "It's very flat. I'm very disappointed with the result and especially how we played in the second half, it's far from the level that we've set this season.
"It's time for us to reflect on the few performances and just fix the issues immediately so we can get back to winning games and going on a run and build momentum because we've lost that a bit right now."
Asked if the pressure was getting to Arsenal, who have finished as runners-up in each of the last three seasons, Saka added: "No, I don't think about all of that. I just think we need to get back to our level, just do the basics right.
"And we've got more than enough quality in this team to win games, especially the games where we've been dropping points recently. We just need to fix that, and that's all our focus is right now."
