Paul Merson Slams Arsenal's 'Second Gear' Display in Wolves Draw as Title Race Stumbles
Arsenal icon Paul Merson has launched a scathing critique of his former team, accusing them of playing in 'second gear' during their disappointing 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Sky Sports pundit warned that this result could 'come back to bite them' in the fiercely contested Premier League title race.
Gunners' Lead Squandered as Manchester City Loom
The Gunners surrendered a two-goal advantage at Molineux on Wednesday evening, a collapse that allows Manchester City to potentially close the gap to just two points if they win their game in hand. This marks Arsenal's second draw in consecutive league matches and the third occasion in their last five Premier League outings where they have dropped valuable points.
Merson, a two-time title winner with Arsenal in 1989 and 1991, expressed his profound disappointment on air. 'If Man City win all their games from now on they'll win the league so, yeah, disappointing,' he stated bluntly. 'You can't play in second gear. You seen when it went 2-2 there was an urgency, everybody was running. You can't play like that. Every game is a cup final until the end.'
Merson's Analysis of Arsenal's Tempo and Complacency
The former midfielder elaborated on his concerns regarding Arsenal's approach and intensity. 'If Arsenal play at a tempo, Wolves can't live with them. But if they play the way that they play and it's all slow, lazy, then Wolves will always be in the game. That could come back to bite them tonight.'
Arsenal had initially seized control of the match, with Bukayo Saka opening the scoring within the first five minutes. Piero Hincapie extended their lead eleven minutes after the second-half restart, seemingly putting the game beyond reach. However, the Premier League's bottom-placed team mounted an improbable comeback.
Wolves first reduced the deficit through Hugo Bueno's curling effort in the 61st minute. Then, in a dramatic finale, debutant Tom Edozie's 94th-minute strike deflected off Riccardo Calafiori to secure a stunning late equaliser, denying Arsenal a crucial victory.
Criticism of Sloppy Play and Lack of Patience
Merson directed significant blame at Arsenal's careless possession and lack of composure in the match's crucial phases. 'I can't believe how many times they gave the ball away so cheaply,' he lamented. 'It was so cheap. Instead of dictating the game... and drawing Wolves out, I don't think they put three or four passes together at stages in the second half.'
He emphasised the unexpected nature of the result, given Wolves' league position. 'I'm not going to get away (from it), Wolves aren't a great team. They had nine points before tonight so they're not the team we expect to come back from 2-0 down and get a draw against Arsenal.'
Merson drew a parallel to Arsenal's historic defensive style, suggesting a concerning mindset. 'It reminds me of when we won the league years ago and it was "1-0 to the Arsenal". It feels like that to me. It feels like "we'll get a goal, we're alright now, we won't let in any more goals and we'll be solid". But it doesn't happen. You're always going to get a chance in football nowadays.'
He did, however, credit Edozie for his composure with the late equaliser, quipping that the debutant could become a 'Man City hero' for his role in hindering Arsenal's title charge.
Arteta's Emotional Reaction and Call to Arms
Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, a visibly frustrated Mikel Arteta described the draw as 'very tough to accept'. The Arsenal manager admitted his team's second-half performance was below the required standard.
'In the second half we did not perform in the way we should and the way we require to win a Premier League match,' Arteta conceded. 'It is better not to judge it, we are all too emotional about it. You have to take the hit because we deserve it.'
He cautioned against emotional overreaction but stressed the need for improvement. 'It is very easy with emotion to say things that can damage the team. Everyone wants to do their best. Nobody questions that. Today we weren't at the level, at the races and at the standards that are required.'
Arteta framed the setback as a necessary challenge for his squad. 'And when you do that and you want to be at this level you have to take the hit. 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. The enjoyment comes from moments of suffering as well. If you believe you can come into any game in the Premier League and you don't have to go through tough periods, that's not the reality.'
Looking ahead, the manager issued a rallying cry, urging his players to 'stand up' in their pursuit of a first Premier League crown since 2004. He pointed to the upcoming North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur as the perfect opportunity for a response.
'When they have a moment of difficulty, and we feel really frustrated with ourselves, you have the perfect game against Spurs away to go and show how much you want it and show how good we are,' Arteta asserted. 'That's it. Talk on the pitch.'
As the title race intensifies, Arsenal's ability to heed Merson's warnings and Arteta's instructions will be tested immediately in one of English football's most heated rivalries.
