EPL: Channel ‘Pain’ From Wolves Draw Into Tottenham Clash, Arteta Urges Arsenal
Arsenal FC manager Mikel Arteta has urged his players to channel the “pain” of their 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC into Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur FC.
The Gunners appeared set for a routine victory at Molineux after goals from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie handed them a 2-0 lead.
However, Wolves fought back with strikes from Hugo Bueno and Tom Edozie to secure a draw.
The result leaves Arsenal just five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City FC, who have a game in hand, as the Premier League title race intensifies.
It was the second consecutive league match in which Arsenal dropped points, following a draw with Brentford FC, and means they have won only two of their last seven league fixtures.
City previously overhauled Arsenal to clinch the Premier League title in both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, with their upcoming April clash potentially decisive once again.
Arteta said the setback was not due to a lack of effort but moments that went against his side.
“It’s part of football. Where it could’ve gone wrong today, it went wrong,” he said. “If you are at the top you have to win and win, that’s nothing new.”
Looking ahead to the derby, Arteta urged his players to reflect and respond positively. “We need to go through the pain, look in the mirror and understand what the game requires now. The next action is Sunday,” he added. Saka admitted the squad was disappointed with the outcome.
“It’s pretty flat. We’re pretty disappointed with the result,” he told Arsenal’s official website.
The England international maintained that the title race remains in Arsenal’s hands but stressed the need to address recent shortcomings and return to winning ways against their fierce rivals.
