Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead against bottom club Wolves and damaged their title push. Questions now surround the team’s mental strength after 22 years without a league title. For the first time this season, the title race is no longer fully in Mikel Arteta’s control. Manchester City sit five points behind with twelve matches left and could still win the league, including a home game against Arsenal. The Gunners also control their destiny with eleven matches remaining and a key April clash in Manchester.
Two successive draws against Brentford and Wolves cost Arsenal four crucial points. Past failures now threaten to resurface. The club finished second three times, including twice behind Guardiola’s side. Former striker Alan Smith said the word “Bottle” will appear frequently in discussions.
Wolves Fight Back and Stun Arsenal Late
The match looked settled when Piero Hincapie scored in the 56th minute. Bukayo Saka had given Arsenal an early lead in the fifth minute. Arsenal failed to control the game and lacked ruthlessness. Wolves had lost nine straight meetings and sit on course for relegation. They showed resilience and fought back strongly. Hugo Bueno scored a curling shot from 20 yards to reignite belief. In added time, 19-year-old Tom Edozie capitalised on a mix-up between David Raya and Gabriel. His shot deflected off Riccardo Calafiori and sealed a dramatic equaliser.
Arsenal now face Tottenham and Chelsea in London derbies. The team appears to wobble at a decisive stage of the season. Arteta acknowledged criticism and said his team deserved scrutiny. He said the response must come on the pitch against Spurs. Wolves manager Rob Edwards said his players knew Arsenal felt pressure and exploited it.
Arsenal have struggled since the start of 2026 and won only two of their last seven league games. Victories came against Leeds and Sunderland. Arteta admitted his team failed in basic aspects repeatedly. He said emotions run high and criticism is deserved after poor performances. He urged caution with emotional reactions that could harm the team.
Only Crystal Palace and West Ham dropped more points from winning positions in 2026. Arsenal dropped seven points and failed to win three of their last five games after leading. This match marked the first time a bottom-side team avoided defeat against league leaders after trailing by two goals. Smith called the match a pivotal turning point in the title race. He said Manchester City now hold the advantage and will sense Arsenal’s nerves. He added that losing a two-goal lead against a bottom team is unacceptable for title contenders.
“We Dropped Our Standards Big Time”
Arsenal failed to win an away game after leading by two goals for the first time since April 2023. Bukayo Saka ended a 15-match goal drought and spoke after the game. He said the team performed far worse in the second half. He said the team dropped standards and paid the price. He admitted disappointment and frustration.
Saka had just signed a new five-year contract and scored while playing as a number 10. He left the pitch in the 73rd minute after treatment and watched the collapse from the sidelines. He said the mood felt flat and the team must reflect and fix issues immediately. He urged the squad to rebuild momentum and return to winning ways. He said the team must return to basic principles and use its quality to win games. He said fixing recent mistakes is the only focus.
“We Need to Go Through the Pain and Look in the Mirror”
Arsenal must respond quickly with a north London derby against Tottenham. Spurs now have Igor Tudor in charge and hope for a new manager bounce. Arteta said the team must face the pain and understand what the next game demands. He said words mean little without action and the response must come on Sunday.
