Arsenal's Title Bid Stumbles with Late Wolves Equaliser at Molineux
Bukayo Saka broke his goal drought with an early header, but Arsenal were left reeling after a stoppage-time equaliser from Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday night. The England forward admitted the dressing room felt "very flat" as the Gunners squandered a 2-0 lead, raising concerns about their Premier League title credentials with Manchester City lurking.
Saka Reflects on Disappointing Collapse After Rare Goal
Saka's first goal in 15 games across all competitions, a rare headed effort, seemed to set Arsenal on course for a comfortable victory over the league's bottom side. Celebrating by mimicking signing his lucrative new contract, his joy was short-lived. "I'm very disappointed with the result and especially how we played in the second half," Saka said post-match, highlighting a performance "far from the level that we've set this season."
He emphasised the need for immediate improvement, stating, "It's time for us to reflect on the few performances and just fix the issues immediately so we can get back to winning games." When asked about pressure in the title race, Saka dismissed it, focusing instead on returning to basics and leveraging the team's quality.
Growing Tendency to Squander Leads Haunts Arsenal
Arsenal have now dropped seven points from winning positions since the start of 2026, a stark contrast to only two points lost between August and December. This trend has seen them win just two of their last seven league matches, with panic evident when Wolves pulled one back through Hugo Bueno.
The scars from three consecutive runners-up finishes run deep, affecting even recent signings like Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice, who lost composure during Wolves' late surge. A defensive mix-up between David Raya and Gabriel Magalhães led to teenager Tom Edozie's debut equaliser, symbolising the doubts creeping into Arsenal's recent performances.
Arteta's Delicate Balance Amidst Title Pressure
Manager Mikel Arteta expressed anger but cautioned against damaging team morale. "It is very easy now, in the emotions, to start to say things that can damage the team," he noted, acknowledging the need to maintain standards while supporting his players. With Arsenal leading the table since 4 October, Arteta faces a psychological battle as City could close the gap to two points before the north London derby against Tottenham.
City's historical consistency in the season's final stages poses a significant threat; if they win all remaining matches, including a crucial clash with Arsenal in April, they could secure another title. This scenario looms large for Arsenal fans, given City's past ability to outscore rivals in tight finishes.
Looking Ahead: Saka's Drive to Change the Narrative
Saka, who has only an FA Cup winner's medal to his name, remains determined to "win wearing this badge." As Arsenal prepare for critical fixtures, including the derby and City showdown, finding resilience will be key to altering the narrative and sustaining their title challenge amidst mounting pressure.
