Arsenal’s Late Collapse: Reflections from Saka and Arteta

omidbasir- Bukayo Saka concluded a lengthy 15-game goal drought by scoring an early header from a Declan Rice cross at Molineux, taking on the No.10 role for the match. Early in the second half, Piero Hincapie netted his first goal for Arsenal since his summer transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, putting the Gunners in a commanding position. However, Wolverhampton Wanderers had other plans.

Hugo Bueno ignited the hosts’ hopes with a stunning goal on the hour mark. Arsenal’s lackluster performance in the second half was ultimately punished when Riccardo Calafiori scored an own goal in the fourth minute of added time, allowing Wolves to equalize.

In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s very tough to accept. In the second half, we did not perform as required to win a Premier League match. We need to reflect critically, as it was not good enough. Consistency has eluded us in recent months, and we must rise to the occasion during difficult times.”

Saka also addressed the media regarding the team’s mood following the late equalizer, remarking, “It feels flat. We are very disappointed with both the result and our performance in the second half, which was far below the standards we have set this season.”

He emphasized the urgency for the team to reflect on recent performances and rectify their issues swiftly to regain momentum, saying, “We must return to our level and execute the basics effectively. We possess ample quality within the squad to secure victories, especially in matches where we have recently dropped points. Fixing these problems is our main focus right now.”

Arsenal’s next challenge is a visit to local rivals Tottenham Hotspur for the north London derby on Sunday. Spurs are experiencing a managerial change after the dismissal of Thomas Frank, with Igor Tudor taking over until the end of the season.