Mikel Arteta cut a frustrated figure as he admitted Arsenal’s lack of consistency is starting to cost them, after the Gunners threw away a 2-0 lead to settle for a damaging 2-2 draw against Wolves.
Goals from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie had the Gunners cruising and seemingly on course for a win that would have stretched their advantage over Manchester City to seven points.
However, Wolves refused to give up, with Hugo Bueno’s superb curling effort dragging the hosts back into the contest.
Then came the late drama with four minutes of stoppage time already played. Making his senior debut for Wolves, 19-year-old attacking midfielder Tom Edozie pounced on a weak punch from David Raya to snatch a point for Wolves and stun the visitors.
The result marked Arsenal’s first failure to win an away league game after leading by two goals since April 2023 against West Ham, while also moving their dropped points tally from winning positions in 2026 up to seven.
Only Crystal Palace and West Ham (eight each) have lost more points from winning positions this year, and worryingly for Arteta, Arsenal have now failed to convert a lead into victory in three of their last five league games.
“It’s very basic things and simple things that today we did really wrong, and that’s why we had the feeling, without conceding much, when the game is open that kind of thing can happen,” the Gunners boss said while reflecting on the game, per quotes on ESPN.
“Any question, criticism, opinion, you have to take it on the chin today. That’s it. Any bullet, take it because we didn’t perform at the level required.
“Anything anybody says can be right because we didn’t do what we had to do. The way to do it is on the pitch on Sunday, in another great opportunity we have.
“We have always done it, but if you are strong, you need to show it next time. To say it here is simple, but we have to show it on the pitch.”
Arsenal managed to increase their lead at the summit of the Premier League table to five points, but could see their cushion slashed to just two points if Manchester City go on to secure all three points from their game in hand.
The Gunners now find themselves under immense pressure, knowing that a win for City in their extra game against Crystal Palace will blow the title race wide open, with the two clubs still billed to face off in the English top flight on matchday 33.
