Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta Urges Gunners To 'Stand Up' During 'Moment of Difficulty' After Wolves Stalemate

Last Updated:February 19, 2026, 13:20 IST

Arsenal, who once had an eight-point lead over City, slumped to a series of draws in recent weeks, jeopardising their title hopes unless Arteta can find a way to reverse the trend.

Premier League leaders Arsenal were held to a draw at Molineux by bottom-placed Wolves on Thursday, as Mikel Arteta and his team dropped more points in their title pursuit, allowing room for a potential catch-up by Manchester City.

The Gunners now have 58 points from 27 matches following the stalemate against Wolves and maintain a five-point lead over City, who can reduce this gap to just two points in their next home game against Newcastle.

“Incredibly disappointed. We need to accept it. We need to be critical of ourselves because it was not good enough," Arteta said.

“In the league, it is the reality that we have not been consistent over the last few months," the Spaniard added.

“Very tough to accept it. In the second half we did not perform in the way we should and the way we require to win a Premier League match," he said.

“Certain basics we have to do, we did them so poorly one after the other. And then you have no dominance, no control in the game.

The 43-year-old Arsenal boss realised that the unit is a bit too emotional following the disappointing result and it was crucial not to let damaging words slip at this point in time.

“It is better not to judge it. We are all too emotional about it. You have to take the hit because we deserve it.

“It is very easy with emotion to say things that can damage the team. Everyone wants to do their best."

“You have to go through tough periods. Today at the last minute, we paid the price. We have to do basic things much better than we have done," Arteta said.

Arsenal, who once had an eight-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s side, have experienced a series of draws in recent weeks, jeopardising their title hopes unless Arteta can find a way to reverse the trend.

“By staying very close to them and reminding them how good they are.

“You have to stand up. When you have a moment of difficulty, we have to show how much we want it and how good we are."

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