Mikel Arteta has delivered a blunt assessment after Arsenal let a two goal lead slip at Wolves.
Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal’s second-half collapse cost them two points after a 2-2 draw with Wolves at Molineux, insisting the team must accept responsibility and respond quickly.
Arsenal were in firm control after goals from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie put them 2-0 ahead, but the home side fought back through Hugo Bueno before Tom Edozie struck late to earn a point for Wolves thanks to a mistake in the Arsenal defence.
“We’re very disappointed with the end result, but I think we have to fault ourselves,” Arteta said. “I think the performance in the second half doesn’t show the level and the standards required in the Premier League to win in the manner that we should have won the game, especially in the way that we played in the first half.
“It’s very tough, we are frustrated because it’s down to us. It’s time to talk on the pitch because anything that we say right now comes from anger, frustration, disappointment, and there’s nothing coming through that is going to benefit and help the team going forward.
“It’s nothing to do with attitude or with desire. There were a lot of things that went wrong in the second half that didn’t allow us to have any dominance, even though we scored the second goal. We never felt that we were in control of the game.”
Arteta later reinforced his frustration with the manner of the collapse. “Extremely disappointed, obviously, with the result, with the way the game ended, but we have to blame ourselves,” he said at his press conference.
“I think the performance in the second half didn’t show anything close to the standards that are required in this league to win, with the margin that I think should have existed today, especially in the manner that we played the first half. It’s a moment of disappointment.
“We all want to talk a lot about how we’re feeling, but it’s not the moment to do that, because anything that we do has to always and only be with the intention to help the team. Right now I think we have to swallow that frustration. When you are at this level and at the top, you need to take the hit, because today we deserve them as well, and move on as quickly as possible, because on Sunday we have a big game coming up.”
Reflecting on the loss of control after the break, Arteta added: “It was a moment after another moment after another moment. Even though we scored the second goal, we never got the grip and dominance of the game. That’s the reality. That’s credit, obviously, to Wolves. I don’t want to underestimate that, but I think we played a big part in that.
“As I said, it’s very basic things, very simple things, that today we did really wrong and that’s why we had the feeling, without really conceding much, but the moment is always the game open to anything that can happen.”
On the scrutiny that follows such a result, Arteta was clear. “I think any question, any criticism, any opinion, you have to take it on the chin today. I think that’s it. Any hit, any bullet, take it, because we didn’t perform at the level that is required.
“Anything that anybody says can be right because we didn’t do what we had to do. The way to do it is on that pitch on Sunday, in a great opportunity that we have. We’ve always done it, but you’re as strong if you show it the next time you do it. To talk and say it here, it’s simple, and we have to do it on the pitch.”
Attention now turns to the north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Arsenal have the chance to respond immediately to a result Arteta has already described as painful. You will be hard pushed to find an Arsenal fan who disagrees.