Saka on Arsenal shock Wolves mistake as Arteta says Gunners are 'too emotional'
Bukayo Saka felt Arsenal fell well below their standards while they lost a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Wolves.
Premier League bottom team took deserved points Premier League leaders thanks to Riccardo Calafiori's injury-time own goal, following Hugo Bueno's stunner to start the comeback after Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie had scored at the start of each half.
Their second consecutive draw gives Manchester City new momentum in the title race, with Pep Guardiola's men managing to reduce the gap to two points on Saturday by beating Newcastle.
Scorer Saka told the BBC: “Disappointed. Not much else to say.
“There was a big difference in the way we played in the first half and the second half. We lowered our standards and we were punished for that.”
The Gunners have led for most of the season as they look to win their first league title since 2004, but have dropped 11 points from their eight games in 2026 as the pressure appears to be getting to Mikel Arteta's men.
Asked if nerves were creeping into the team, Saka said: “It's time to focus on ourselves, raise our standards and improve our performances and that's within our control.”
Arteta: 'We didn't do the basics'
Manager Arteta said the Arsenal dressing room was “too emotional” to judge the late mistake now, but agreed with Saka that his team were not good enough in the second half.
“It's very difficult to accept it. In the second half we didn't play the way we should and the way we demand to win a Premier League game.
“It's best not to judge him, we're all too emotional about it. We have to take the hit because we deserve it.
“It's very easy with emotion to say things that can harm the team. Everyone wants to do their best. You have to go through difficult times.
“Today, at the last minute, we paid the price. We have to do the basic things much better than we have been doing.”
2026-02-18 22:49:00
