Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on his players to use the pain of their 2 2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers as motivation when they face arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a crucial north London derby.
The Gunners appeared on course for a comfortable victory at Molineux after goals from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie gave them a 2 0 lead. However, Wolves fought back with strikes from Hugo Bueno and Tom Edozie to snatch a point.
The result leaves Arsenal just five points ahead of second placed Manchester City in the Premier League title race. With City holding a game in hand and a pivotal meeting between the two sides looming in April, the pressure is mounting on Arteta’s men.
Arsenal have now won only twice in their last seven league matches, having also dropped points in a previous draw with Brentford. Despite the setback, Arteta insisted the issue is not a lack of effort or desire but moments where things have gone wrong.
He urged his players to reflect, react and respond strongly against Tottenham, stressing that teams at the top must consistently win to remain in control of the title race.
Saka admitted the squad felt disappointed, describing the match as a game of two halves. He acknowledged that Arsenal dropped their level after the break and were punished.
With a 22 year wait to reclaim the league crown at stake, Sunday’s derby now carries even greater significance as Arsenal aim to get their campaign back on track.
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