Manager Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal side to use the “pain” of their 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. as motivation when they face arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in Sunday’s north London derby.
The Gunners appeared on course for a routine victory at Molineux after goals from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapié put them 2-0 ahead.
However, Wolves mounted a second-half comeback through Hugo Bueno and Tom Edozie, earning a point that further tightened the Premier League title race.
The result leaves Arsenal five points clear of defending champions Manchester City F.C., who have a game in hand. It also marked the second consecutive draw for the Gunners, following a stalemate with Brentford, and means they have won just twice in their last seven league matches.
Arteta insisted his players’ commitment was not in question but admitted the team must respond.
“I’m going to be the first one to be close with them because it has nothing to do with attitude or desire — it is completely the opposite,” he said.
“If you are at the top you have to win and win, that’s nothing new.”
With a crucial derby looming, Arteta called on his players to turn frustration into fuel.
“We need to go through the pain, look in the mirror and understand what the game requires now. The next action is Sunday. We need to keep all that in our tummies to show it.”
Saka echoed his manager’s disappointment, describing the mood in the dressing room as “flat” after surrendering a two-goal lead.
“In the first half we started so well, but in the second half we dropped the level and got punished,” he told Arsenal’s official website.
Despite the setback, Arsenal remain firmly in control of their destiny as they seek to end a 22-year wait for a league title. Sunday’s derby against Tottenham now takes on added significance in a fiercely contested title race.
