‘We Deserve It!’ – Mikel Arteta Admits Arsenal ‘Paid the Price’ for Sloppiness in Wolves Collapse

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted his side “paid the price” for a tepid second-half performance after throwing away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with bottom-club Wolves, with teenager Tom Edozie’s stoppage-time equaliser sparking title race chaos. Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said: “Very tough to accept it.

In the second half ,we did not perform… You have to take the hit because we deserve it.” Bukayo Saka ended his 15-game goal drought to open the scoring, and Piero Hincapie doubled the lead early in the second half.

But Hugo Bueno’s stunning strike and Edozie’s 94th-minute equaliser left Arsenal five points clear but with Manchester City holding a game in hand. Saka admitted the dressing room is “very flat” and called for “immediate” fixes. Arsenal face Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday.

Key Points:

Arteta’s admission of deserved failure compounds the psychological blow of the collapse.
It fuels accusations that Arsenal lack the mentality to close out title-winning games.
Arsenal’s cushion shrinks, while City gains momentum and belief.
This signals potential fragility under pressure as the run-in intensifies.
The timing, ahead of the north London derby, adds urgency.

Arteta accepts Arsenal deserved their collapse against Wolves, warning his players must “stand up” as the title race tightens ahead of Sunday’s derby at Tottenham.

Sources: GOAL, Sky Sports