Arsenal's narrow 2-1 victory over Wolves left Mikel Arteta dissatisfied, despite the win coming from a late own goal by Yerson Mosquera. The Gunners initially led through another own goal when Bukayo Saka's corner bounced off the post and hit Sam Johnstone. Tolu Arokodare seemed to have secured a draw for Wolves with a late header, but another Saka cross led to Mosquera's decisive error.
Arteta expressed his disappointment in interviews with TNT Sports and BBC Match of the Day, stating that Arsenal's display was below expectations. "We knew it was going to be a tough match," he said. The team failed to register a shot on target in the first half, marking a first for this season and since December 2024 at the Emirates against Manchester United.
The game saw Arsenal struggling offensively, with their first shot on target coming from Declan Rice in the 67th minute. Hwang Hee-chan was the only player to test the goalkeeper before halftime. Arteta noted that while they created many situations, they lacked precision in their final passes.
Wolves manager Rob Edwards sympathised with fans after their team's unfortunate loss. Despite executing their plan well and showing discipline, Wolves couldn't avoid defeat. "The lads gave everything tonight," Edwards told BBC MOTD. He acknowledged the fans' support amid recent protests against Fosun's ownership following a heavy defeat to Manchester United.
Wolves have now conceded two own goals in three Premier League games against Arsenal, including one in November 2009. Mosquera’s own goal marked the 18th time a 90th-minute winning own goal occurred in Premier League history, with Arsenal benefiting from six of these instances.
Looking Ahead for Arsenal
Arteta emphasised the need for improvement, particularly defensively, as he prepares his team for upcoming fixtures during the Christmas period. He highlighted that relying on individual actions is not sustainable for winning games consistently. "We need to improve that," he stated, focusing on enhancing defensive habits and decision-making.
Despite the victory, Arteta remains focused on refining his team's performance. He aims to address their shortcomings during an upcoming break before resuming action over the festive period. The manager remains optimistic about finding solutions to secure future wins while acknowledging areas needing attention.
Arsenal will use this clean week to regroup and prepare for their next challenges. Arteta is determined to enhance his squad’s performance levels as they navigate through a busy schedule ahead.
