Arsenal Football Club Spanish head coach, Mikel Arteta, has expressed “extreme disappointment” after his side gave up a two-goal lead to finish 2-2 in the Premier Leave 2025/26 match on Wednesday 18 February, 2026 at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton.
The former Arsenal midfielder confessed, he and his boys should be blamed for how the showdown ended on Wednesday night against the bottom-placed club.
Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal defender, put the ball into his own net from an effort from debutant Tom Edozie in the fourth minute of additional time for a late equalizer after goalkeeper, David Raya, and defender Gabriel massed up at the back, poorly clearing a high ball in the box.
The visitors took the lead very early, in the 5th minute, after Bukayo Saka, scored from Declan Rice’ assist. The first half then ended with the Premier League toppers leading by a lone goal.
Saka celebrated his new contract with the club with the early opener. The winger put pen to paper for a fresh five-year deal at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
After the break, in the 56th minute, defender, Gabriel Magalhaes, supplied for Piero Hincapie, who added the second goal and handed Mikel Arteta’s side what looked like an impressive lead.
Saka’s goal was his first after fifteen (15) games for Arsenal in all competitions; he was however taken off following treatment.
Arteta’s men struggled under pressure as Wolves pulled one back in the 61stminute through Hugo Bueno with a beautiful curling effort.
The pressure continued from the home side as poor communication made Gabriel get in the way of goalie Raya, who tried to clear a cross, and 19-year old substitute, Edozie, who was handed his first senior debut, fired a shot which hit Calafiori and went into the net.
A dejected Arteta hit hard at his side, saying, the Gunners were “never” in control of the clash. The Spaniard said, “we never got the grip and dominance of the game”.
Arteta praised Wolves for their resilient performance against his side.
According to arsenal.com, at his post-draw press conference, Arteta said:
How he feels after the outcome at Molineux
“Extremely disappointed, obviously, with the result, with the way the game ended, but we have to blame ourselves. I think the performance in the second half didn’t show anything close to the standards that are required in this league to win, with the margin that I think should have existed today, especially in the manner that we played the first half. It’s a moment of disappointment.
“We all want to talk a lot about how we’re feeling, but it’s not the moment to do that. Right now I think we have to swallow that frustration. When you are at this level and at the top, you need to take the hit.”
On Arsenal’s second half performance
“It was a moment after another moment after another moment. Even though we scored the second goal, we never got the grip and dominance of the game. That’s the reality. That’s credit, obviously, to Wolves.
“Today, we did really wrong.”
On the feelings of supporters after the outcome
“The more they can be with the players [the better], and I’m going to be the first one to be very close to them because this is nothing to do with attitude or desire. It’s completely the opposite. It’s part of football.
“Whatever could have gone wrong today,…it happened, and it happened for a reason.”
What next for Arsenal and Wolves?
With this outcome, Arsenal are still at the summit of the Premier League 2025/26 table, leading Manchester City by five (5) points, while, Wolverhampton Wanderers are still at the bottom with ten (10) points.
However, Manchester City have a game unplayed, and will welcome Newcastle United on Saturday night.
City’s Pep Guardiola is expected to muster every energy for the top flight game against Newcastle United on Saturday 21 February, 2026 at Etihad Stadium at 21:00 (WAT).
While Arsenal will face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 22 February, 2026 at 17:30 (WAT), Wolves will take a trip to Selhurst Park for their top tier game against Crystal Palace.
Photo: Arsenal finished 2-2 in the Premier League can against Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday night | ARSENAL FC
