Arteta on Arsenal’s Response to Wolves Draw & Spurs Win | Team Unity

LONDON – Mikel Arteta conceded to feeling ashamed after Arsenal’s recent draw against Wolves, but the Arsenal manager emphatically stated his team showed what we’re made of in Sunday’s dominant 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The win not only reignited Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge but also, according to Arteta, revealed a crucial resilience within the squad.

Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres each scored twice as Arsenal delivered an emphatic performance in the North London derby, moving five points clear at the top of the Premier League table. The result was particularly significant given the circumstances surrounding their previous outing, a 2-2 draw against bottom-of-the-table Wolves at Molineux on February 20, 2026.

The late equalizer conceded against Wolves sparked widespread questioning of Arsenal’s durability and mental fortitude. Arteta acknowledged the difficult aftermath of that result, describing the mood within the club as akin to the end of the world. However, he was quick to praise his players’ response, highlighting their ability to stand up to the pressure and deliver a statement performance against their arch-rivals.

“I think the whole team, be prouder and happier for what I’ve seen out there, but especially the way we lived the last 72 hours, because I think this game in particular needed some context,” Arteta said after the match. “And after what happened against Wolves and the manner in which we lost two points in the last kick of the game, it was tough.”

Arteta elaborated on the internal struggle following the Wolves draw, expressing his bewilderment at how his team failed to secure all three points. There is no explanation watching the game, for how the hell you draw that game, from any angle. You watch it back and say it’s impossible, and you have to watch it again and say it’s not going to happen, but it happened, he explained. And then you have to lift yourself up because you’re feeling angry, upset, ashamed at some point.”

The Arsenal manager emphasized the importance of unity and collective responsibility in overcoming the disappointment. We are all different nationalities, we all have different feelings, and then you have to bring everybody together. It’s been a joy to spend that time together with them, to align everybody and to say: ‘OK, what is going to be happening in the next chapter?’ This one is gone, how do we use it to be a turning point and to make ourselves better, and that was the focus, that was the intention. But after you have to do it on the pitch, and I think what we’ve done from the beginning to the end of the match. It was outstanding.”

The victory over Tottenham marks Arsenal’s fifth consecutive win against their North London rivals, their best run since 1989. This dominant stretch underscores Arsenal’s growing authority in the derby and signals a potential shift in the balance of power in North London. The Gunners have now defeated Spurs by at least three goals in both meetings this season, a feat they last achieved in the 1934-35 campaign.

While Arteta was keen to celebrate the team’s response, he also cautioned against complacency, acknowledging that the title race is far from over. Manchester City’s win against Newcastle United on Saturday, February 21, 2026 had briefly narrowed the gap at the top of the table to two points, adding further pressure to Arsenal’s performance against Tottenham. The win restored their five-point lead, though they have played one game more than City.

The performance of Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres was particularly noteworthy, with both players scoring twice. Gyökeres also revealed that a fiery team meeting following the Wolves draw played a significant role in galvanizing the squad and fostering a stronger sense of unity. He stated that the squad now feels closer as a result of the frank and honest discussions.

Arteta’s ability to rally his team in the face of adversity will be crucial as Arsenal navigate the remaining months of the season. The Wolves draw undoubtedly served as a wake-up call, and the response against Tottenham demonstrated the team’s character and determination. However, with Manchester City breathing down their necks, Arsenal will need to maintain this level of performance and consistency if they are to lift the Premier League trophy in May.

The Gunners’ upcoming schedule will present further challenges, with matches against teams vying for European qualification and potential title contenders. Arteta will be hoping that his team can continue to stand up to the pressure and deliver the results needed to secure their first Premier League title in nearly two decades.