Arteta Dismisses 'Bottlers' Accusation as Arsenal Seek to Regain Form
Mikel Arteta has emphatically rejected the label of 'bottlers' being applied to his Arsenal squad, following a disappointing 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday. The Gunners surrendered a two-goal lead against the bottom-placed team, handing a significant advantage to their title rivals Manchester City in the Premier League race.
Title Race Pressure Intensifies After Wolves Setback
Arsenal's failure to secure all three points at Molineux has raised serious questions about their ability to maintain a championship challenge. If Manchester City win all of their remaining twelve fixtures, including a crucial April clash against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, they will be crowned champions. Despite this setback, Arteta's side still holds a five-point lead at the summit, although they have played one game more than City.
The club is burdened by the psychological weight of finishing as runners-up in the Premier League for three consecutive seasons. This recent result has sparked fresh debate and criticism, with some pundits and fans accusing the team of choking under pressure. However, Arteta was unequivocal in his response to these claims during a press conference.
Manager's Firm Stance on Criticism
"That's individual opinion, and you have to respect that," Arteta stated. "You lose two points against Wolves in the manner that the game played out, and you have to take it on the chin. That's it. It's part of our role. But it's not part of my vocabulary and I don't see it like this because I don't think anybody wants to do that as an intention. I wouldn't use that word."
Arteta emphasised his personal accountability for any dip in performance standards, particularly referencing the second half against Wolves. "When we haven't been at our standards, I take full responsibility for that. I don't think I have ever pointed at a single player or the team," he explained. "I can talk about standards, yes, and in the second half we weren't at our standards, which is normal when we play the amount of games we play as well, but if there is anyone who is responsible, that's me."
Arsenal's Broader Season Context and Upcoming Challenges
Despite recent struggles in the league, with only two victories in their last seven matches, Arsenal's overall campaign remains highly promising. The team has secured a place in the Carabao Cup final next month and advanced to the knockout stages of the Champions League after winning all eight of their group games. They are also strong favourites to progress in the FA Cup, with a fifth-round tie against Mansfield scheduled for March.
Arteta urged his players to maintain perspective and focus on the present. "We have a very clear instruction. We have to live in the present, and the present is beautiful," he asserted. "We are exactly where we want to be in every competition. So, keeping calm, keeping my eyes open, my ears open, and understanding what the players need to give their best."
The manager expressed confidence in his squad's resilience, noting a "tremendous reaction" from the players. "What I'm very interested in is the next chapter, what we are made of, and how we write our own destiny from here going forward," Arteta added, looking ahead to future fixtures.
Injury Updates Ahead of North London Derby
In team news, key players Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz were absent against Wolves due to injuries, but both have a chance of returning for the highly anticipated North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. "We have to wait until tomorrow but there is a big possibility that they are available," Arteta confirmed, providing a glimmer of hope for Arsenal supporters.
As the Premier League title race heats up, Arteta's defiant message underscores his belief in the squad's character and determination to overcome setbacks and challenge for silverware on multiple fronts this season.
