Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by Wolves on Thursday night to leave the door open for Manchester City in the Premier League title race, with the Gunners accused of being 'bottle jobs'
07:00, 19 Feb 2026
Mikel Arteta
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Mikel Arteta saw his side slip up(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal have been labelled as 'slow and lazy', lending credence to claims of being 'bottle jobs' after their draw with Wolves. Former Gunner Paul Merson expressed his disappointment with the team's performance, suggesting it could prove costly in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners appeared on course to extend their lead at the top of the table, taking a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie. However, Mikel Arteta's side failed to capitalise on their commanding position, allowing Wolves back into the game through a series of blunders.
Hugo Bueno found the net before a defensive mix-up between Gabriel and David Raya gifted Tom Edozie a debut goal. Consequently, Arsenal's lead over Manchester City has been reduced to just five points, with Pep Guardiola's team having a game in hand.
Merson views this as a significant setback for the north London outfit. "If Man City win all their games now on, they win the league. It's disappointing," he commented.
"You can't play in second gear. When Wolves went to 2-2, there was an urgency. They didn't have that before. You can't play like that. Every game is a cup final to the end.
David Raya and Gabriel
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David Raya and Gabriel clashed after Tom Edozie's equaliser(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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"You've got to play at a high tempo. If Arsenal play at a high tempo, Wolves can't live with them. But to play the way they played, and it's slow and lazy, and they are giving the ball away, then Wolves are always going to be in the game.
"That could come back to bite them. That is really, really disappointing tonight."
"It's going come on full blast now, being bottle jobs, melting," Merson continued. "It's full on now drawing away at Brentford and then being two goals up against the worst team in the league."
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Former Arsenal forward Alan Smith suggested the draw could mark a significant shift after Arsenal's collapse allowed City back into the game. "It feels like a pivotal moment," he said.
"A vital one. Maybe a turning point. We'll wait and see. Obviously, it's in Manchester City's hands now but having been two goals up against the team that's rock bottom on nine points, it's not good enough.
"And the way things unravelled at the end with Trossard just trying to waste time and then David Raya panicking coming out when he didn't need to come out it doesn't bode well for Arsenal being able to handle the pressure."
There is clearly a lot of nerves within the camp, the whole situation seems to be getting the better of them. It did tonight and going forward but it doesn't bode well."
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