Arsenal's ability to secure the Premier League title is under renewed scrutiny following a dramatic second-half collapse against bottom-placed Wolves. A 2-2 draw at Molineux, where Arsenal surrendered a two-goal lead, has intensified questions surrounding the team's mentality and selection under manager Mikel Arteta. This outcome marks a significant setback for Arsenal, particularly with a crucial match against Tottenham on the horizon.
The Match Unfolds
Arsenal held a commanding two-goal advantage heading into halftime. However, the second half saw a stark change in momentum. Wolves, who had been struggling at the foot of the league table, staged a comeback, culminating in a 94th-minute equalizer. This late goal denied Arsenal a vital victory and highlighted what manager Mikel Arteta described as a failure to perform at the required level.
The drawn match means Arsenal have dropped seven points from winning positions in their last five Premier League games.
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Arteta Addresses the Collapse
Following the match, Mikel Arteta did not shy away from acknowledging the team's shortcomings. He stated that Arsenal "must accept responsibility" for the dropped points and emphasized the need for a swift response.
"Any question, any criticism, any opinion, you have to take it on the chin today."
Arteta admitted that the team did not "perform at the level that is required" and that they "deserve" the criticism that would follow. He highlighted that the second half performance was a series of "moment after moment after moment" that went wrong, leading to a lack of dominance.
"The performance in the second half didn’t show anything close to the standards that are required in this league to win."
He also conceded that teams may seek to "weaponise the pressure" when playing against Arsenal, a sentiment echoed by the observation that pressure can indeed be used against a team at the top.
Mentality Under Pressure
The recurring theme in Arteta's post-match comments is the team's response to pressure. He acknowledged that at this level, winning consistently is paramount, and failing to do so invites scrutiny. The team needs to be able to "take the hit" and move forward.
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Did Arsenal's players lack the mental fortitude to protect a lead against a struggling opponent?
Selection Decisions
The article from Sky Sports mentions "selection" as a key area of questioning for Arteta. While specific selection choices are not detailed in the provided text, the context of dropping points from winning positions could imply scrutiny of the starting lineup or tactical substitutions.
Were the players on the pitch the right ones to maintain control and secure the victory?
Title Credentials
The draw at Molineux has directly impacted Arsenal's Premier League title aspirations. Having dropped vital points, their lead at the top of the table has been reduced, and the gap to chasing teams like Manchester City has narrowed. The narrative questions whether Arsenal possesses the necessary resilience for a sustained title challenge.
"The Gunners are now only five points ahead of Manchester City having played a game more and have now won just two of their last seven league matches."
Does this latest result cast doubt on Arsenal's ability to sustain a title challenge, especially given past experiences of faltering late in the season?
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Wolves' Perspective
From Wolves' standpoint, the draw was a significant achievement. Manager Rob Edwards expressed pride in his team's belief, which allowed them to secure an "unlikely point." The late equalizer was scored by Edozie, a 19-year-old academy graduate making his Premier League debut. His goal, less than 10 minutes into his first appearance, was a defining moment for his team and a stark illustration of football's unpredictable nature.
"His family will remember that for a long, long time."
Expert Analysis
While no direct quotes from independent experts are available in the provided data, the media analysis points towards significant concerns. The consistent reporting across multiple outlets on Arteta's comments regarding mentality, performance standards, and the need to "take the hits" suggests a widespread interpretation of the event as a critical test of Arsenal's title credentials. The fact that a 94th-minute equalizer was conceded to a team at the bottom of the league adds a layer of concern.
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Conclusion
The 2-2 draw between Arsenal and Wolves has presented Mikel Arteta with a series of pressing questions. The team's inability to maintain a two-goal lead has raised concerns about their mentality under pressure and their overall ability to meet the standards required to win the Premier League. While Arteta accepts responsibility and calls for a swift response, the dropped points have put Arsenal's title bid under a microscope. The upcoming match against Tottenham will be a crucial opportunity for Arsenal to demonstrate their resilience and ability to bounce back from this significant setback. The performance and result against Wolves will undoubtedly be a topic of intense discussion as the season progresses.
Arsenal have won only two of their last seven league matches.
They have lost seven points from winning positions in their last five league games.
The team's second-half performance against Wolves was criticized by Arteta as not meeting required standards.
Sources Used:
Arsenal Official: https://www.arsenal.com/news/every-word-mikel-artetas-post-wolves-presser-0 (Provides direct quotes from Mikel Arteta's post-match press conference.)
Sky Sports: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/13509450/arsenals-collapse-against-wolves-leaves-questions-for-mikel-arteta-over-mentality-selection-and-premier-league-title-bid (Summarizes the implications of the Wolves match for Arsenal's title bid and Arteta's role.)
Daily Cannon: https://dailycannon.com/2026/02/arteta-responds-wolves-arsenal/ (Focuses on Arteta's explanation of what went wrong during the Wolves game.)
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/feb/18/mikel-arteta-arsenal-wolves-premier-league (Reports on Arteta accepting blame and discusses the impact on title credentials, including the debut goalscorer.)
ESPN: https://www.espn.com/soccer/story//id/47970300/arteta-arsenal-show-anything-wolves-draw (Highlights Arteta's assessment of the team's performance and the need to bounce back against Tottenham.)
Goal.com US: https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/mikel-arteta-arsenal-paid-price-collapse-wolves/blt5e83ec8a9d6dd8c4 (Covers Arteta admitting Arsenal "paid the price" for sloppiness and the need for self-criticism.)
FourFourTwo: https://www.fourfourtwo.com/team/arsenal-are-not-close-to-the-standards-needed-to-win-the-league-everything-mikel-arteta-said-following-the-collapse-against-wolves (Compiles Arteta's statements on mentality, pressure, and performance standards.)
Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/soccer/furious-mikel-arteta-arsenal-players-wolves-scare (Suggests a strong reaction from Arteta and mentions attacking difficulties.)
NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/soccer/news/mikel-arteta-reaction-what-did-arsenal-boss-say-after-dropping-more-points-vs-last-place-wolves (Discusses dropping points and the potential implications for the title race, framing the Spurs game as a chance to show character.)
