Mikel Arteta blames players as Premier League title hopes suffer huge setback in Wolves draw
Mikel Arteta has ripped into his Arsenal players after their 2-2 draw with Wolves, admitting that they shot themselves in the foot after throwing away a 2-0 lead.
The Gunners were in cruise control after Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie struck in the first 56 minutes of the match.
However, Wolves came roaring back, with Rob Edwards’ team ultimately securing a point via goals from Hugo Bueno and Tom Edozie.
It means Arsenal squandered the chance to go seven points clear of Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title, with the Gunners now five ahead.
Pep Guardiola’s men do have a game in hand, though.
And Arteta didn’t hold back after the fixture, with the Arsenal boss criticising his players as the title race took another huge twist.
“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,” he said.
Arsenal were 2-0 up before crashing to a 2-2 draw with Wolves
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“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. Today at the last minute, we paid the price. We have to do basic things much better than we have done.”
Five things to know about Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta | PA/GETTY
While Arsenal have been outstanding this season, they have regularly blown the chance to move further clear at the summit.
Stalemates have hampered Arteta’s men, with the north London titans drawing seven of their 27 league matches.
When asked why this kept happening, the 43-year-old responded: “Today we need to accept it. 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.”
Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, also criticised their display.
Mikel Arteta cut a frustrated figure as Arsenal drew with Wolves
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Speaking on Match of the Day, he said: “Disappointed. Not much else to say. There was a big difference in how we played in the first half and the second half.
“We dropped our standards and we got punished for it. Time to focus on ourselves, improve our standards and improve our performances and it is in our control.”
Arsenal are next in action against Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday, in another fixture that could have huge consequences.
Before that, City will attempt to cut the Gunners’ lead at the top of the standings to two points when they face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle on Saturday.
