Mikel Arteta has called on his Arsenal players to “stand up” after their Premier League title bid suffered a major blow with a 2-2 draw at rock-bottom Wolves, where they surrendered a two-goal lead. Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie put Arsenal on course for a seven-point lead at the top, but Hugo Bueno’s stunning strike and teenager Tom Edozie’s stoppage-time equaliser left the Gunners just five points clear with Manchester City holding a game in hand.
Arteta admitted: “In the league, it is the reality that we have not been consistent over the last few months. You have to take the hit because we deserve it.” Arsenal have now dropped 11 points in eight league games in 2026. The north London derby at Tottenham follows on Sunday, with Arteta insisting: “You have to stand up. When you have a moment of difficulty, we have to show how much we want it.”
Key Points:
The collapse reignites questions about Arsenal’s mental resilience in title run-ins.
City now has momentum and a game in hand, with a home clash against Arsenal still to come.
Arsenal’s cushion shrinks, while the pressure intensifies ahead of the north London derby.
This signals that the title race is far from over despite Arsenal’s lead.
The timing, with back-to-back dropped points, tests squad depth and character.
Arteta demands Arsenal “stand up” after blowing a two-goal lead at Wolves, as City lurk with a game in hand and the north London derby looms.
Sources: Vanguard, AFP
