EPL: Arteta Admits Arsenal 'Deserve Criticism' After Wolves Blunder

Arteta's Arsenal frustration boils over after Wolves draw

Arsenal's title bid suffers setback as they drop points to rock-bottom Wolves. Mikel Arteta says Arsenal 'deserve criticism' after 2-2 draw vs Wolves, blowing two-goal lead. Arteta's Arsenal self-inflict wounds, now face north London derby test.

“It is better not to judge it. We are all too emotional about it...”

Mikel Arteta isn't pleased with Arsenal's performance, and rightly so. The Gunners blew a two-goal lead at Wolves, settling for a 2-2 draw.

Saka and Hincapie's goals had put Arsenal in control, but they couldn't hold on. Wolves capitalized on Arsenal's late lapses, giving Man City hope in the title race.

Arteta knows his side deserves criticism for the self-inflicted wounds. 

Hugo Bueno's stunning strike pulled Wolves level, and Tom Edozie's late equalizer denied Arsenal a win. The Gunners failed to hold onto their lead for a second straight league game.

Wolves' late comeback means Manchester City are just five points behind Arsenal, with a game in hand and a home match against Arsenal in April.

“Incredibly disappointed. We need to accept it. We need to be critical of ourselves because it was not good enough,” Arteta said.

“In the league, it is the reality that we have not been consistent over the last few months.”

Arteta's Arsenal are flipping the script on their title hopes, and the past is creeping in. With two previous title fights lost to City due to blown leads, the pressure's on.

11 points dropped in 8 games is a worrying trend for the Gunners. Can they turn it around? 

MArteta's Fury: “We Paid the Price” as Arsenal Drops Points to Wolves

Mikel Arteta is fuming after Arsenal's 2-2 draw against Wolves, blowing a two-goal lead and handing Manchester City a boost in the title race. “We paid the price,” Arteta said, clearly frustrated with his team's failure to finish off the game. The Gunners' struggles continue, with 11 points dropped in 8 league games this season.

Mikel Arteta said:

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.

Certain basics we have to do, we did them so poorly one after the other. And then you have no dominance, no control in the game.

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.

Arsenal's nerves were palpable as they struggled to hold onto a 2-0 lead against Wolves, ultimately drawing 2-2. This shocking result has put pressure on the Gunners, who are now just five points ahead of Manchester City with a game in hand.

The north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday is a must-win for Arsenal, followed by a crucial home game against Chelsea on March 1. 

“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,” Arteta said.

The tension was palpable at full-time, with Arsenal players visibly frustrated. Raya and Gabriel clashed, and Gabriel Jesus wasn't happy with Yerson Mosquera either.

A stoppage time equaliser from @Wolves means @Arsenal go five points clear at the top instead of a possible seven 📊 pic.twitter.com/HNUtSsLfXR

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 19, 2026

Arteta's response to managing his team's pressure? “By staying very close to them and reminding them how good they are.”

“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.”

Read Also: Mikel Arteta Breaks Silence on Viral Fan Autograph Incident: ‘I Felt Exposed’

Can Mikel Arteta's team bounce back from this setback and keep their title hopes alive?