Arsenal

Flora Snelson
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 16:30).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• No fresh injury concerns, and there is "a real possibility" that Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are available against Spurs.

• On Bukayo Saka's new contract: "He is one of our own, for him to make that decision is a really positive thing."

• On the draw at Wolves: "This is one chapter, chapter 27 says we draw against Wolves. What I'm interested in is the next one, how do we write our own destiny? Life moves on. There's nothing we can do about the result, what we can do is focus on the next one."

• Arteta was asked about a piece of social media content that Wolves shared which mocked Arsenal's time-wasting before the equaliser: "I read the press conference of Rob [Edwards], the manager, before the game. He thinks that we are the best team in the league by far. I'm much more interested about that than any other thing that I don't know who posts or whatever, especially because I don't read it."

• On whether Spurs is the perfect next game: "It is the next game and it's the one we cannot wait to play. We'd love to play today, to get that feeling in our tummies and use it in the right way. We'll have to show up on Sunday."

• Arteta was asked about facing a team coached by a new manager, and he said: "It has happened to us seven times already this season. We will have the capacity to adapt but the main focus is on what we have to do to win."

• When asked whether he would support his players leaving the pitch if racially abused, Arteta said: "Everyone is aware of the protocols. There is no room for racism in this sport. You have to go case by case to understand what is the best option."

• On whether there is cause to be worried about their season: "We have to live in the present. The present is beautiful. We're exactly where we want to be in every competition and what is there to play? We need to earn it like we have done in the last seven or eight months."

• On what he, as manager, must do: "To keep calm, to keep my eyes and ears open. To understand what the players need to give the best. That's it."

You can listen to full commentary of Spurs v Arsenal on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday

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The last time Arsenal won five Premier League games in a row against Tottenham was between January 1987 and January 1989. The recent history does not make promising reading for Spurs fans before the north London derby, but what else do the stats say...

• Spurs have lost their past three league home games against Arsenal, as many as they had in their previous 23 (W10 D10). They last lost four in a row against them between 1952 and 1955.

• Since their last league defeat against Spurs in May 2022, the Gunners have lost just one of their 21 away London derby matches in the Premier League (W14 D6), going down 2-1 at Fulham in December 2023.

• This will be Igor Tudor's first match as Spurs boss. The only manager whose first ever game in charge of Tottenham was in a match against Arsenal is Glenn Hoddle, who lost 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford in April 2001.

• Tudor, however, has won his first match in charge in each of his past five spells at a club, starting with his second spell at Hajduk Split in February 2020 (and with Verona, Marseille, Lazio and Juventus since).

• Gunners midfielder Eberechi Eze has scored six goals in his past four Premier League appearances against Spurs (including three in two at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), netting a hat-trick in his first appearance against them for Arsenal in November's reverse fixture.

Newcastle's England winger Anthony Gordon, 24, says he will not let transfer speculation affect him after being linked with Liverpool and Arsenal. (Sun), external

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We asked for views from fans both of both Arsenal and Manchester City on the title race after the Gunners drew at Wolves on Wednesday night.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Jordan: Last night was gutting and no excuses for dropping points from two goals up. However, this isn't the season where slip-ups and shut-outs won't happen. I feel everyone is downplaying the difficulty of the league this year. All the big sides have had rough patches when trying to break down low blocks and counters away from home. For Arsenal, nothing changes - we have the best squad, we're five points ahead. Watch to see if City go on without dropping more points than us going forward. Still backing the boys.

Sean: Firstly, they need to give the captaincy to Declan Rice, he is a born leader, central midfield model like Adams, O'Leary and Vieira. Saka isn't a captain. Doing this would free up the others to play the free-flowing football that should be happening. If the manager can't see this, then he needs to go, if we don't win the league this year he has to go, he's had enough chances. It's down to him to fix it, quickly, especially as the game on Sunday is crucial, if we lose or draw, then Arteta seriously has to look at himself and his coaches. This really isn't good enough or acceptable.

Jon: I just think we have lost all momentum. It was disappointing to draw with Wolves but watching the game there wasn't one player that had a good game. Individual mistakes are creeping into the games, which can't be afforded at this stage of the season. I think the title will be decided in the game at Man City.

Mariano: Fully behind the boys. City had to rip their first PL title from Man Utd dominance on the very last minute of the entire season. This is the path we will have to be prepared for as well.

Ali: We are all now collectively "bricking it", as the ghosts of seasons past come to haunt our dreams of a long-awaited Premier League title. The bottle job "banter" from friends is becoming almost unbearable and while we should be strutting into this weekend's fixture against our biggest foe hoping to kick them one step closer to relegation, we find ourselves feeling nervous, nay petrified, that they will further derail our hopes of finishing top.

Richard: Arsenal win a game? "Best squad, best defence, they're obviously winning the league." Draw or lose? "Bottle jobs, it's City's title." Realistically, anything can happen, there'll be more points dropped by both teams and until it's mathematically decided, nobody knows how it'll play out.

Image source, Getty Images

City fans

Harry: The position we are in is all too familiar, but our team and style is not. We're somewhere between possession-ball and all-out attack at the moment. We are missing our leaders of seasons past and I am yet to be 100% certain they're being replaced. Silva, Dias, Stones, Rodri and even Haaland are going to be pivotal. Belief is what we need and even if we play perfect, Arsenal have to lose at the Etihad. I believe in the lads, Semenyo and Guehi have slotted in seamlessly and Pep is still the man to guide them. I'm cautious, but optimistic. With the quality we are still to face, it may be in our favour, but it's not in our hands yet.

Anthony: There's still a long way to go, I won't feel comfortable until City are actually ahead on points. You can't write any team off but at this point it feels like the City v Arsenal game is going to go a long way to deciding if the Premier League trophy has a holiday in London or is coming back to the home of the trophy - Manchester.

Stephen: City are most likely to finish second, I know, but, while there is a chance of taking top spot, Pep's prodigious charges will never give up the fight. We ain't doing bad for a team in the middle of a major rebuild.

David: A definite sense of the momentum shifting as the usual Arsenal stutter commences. It's a long way to go and we will still drop points but the next three games look winnable and there will be huge pressure on them to beat Spurs now.

George: City have been offered a real chance here, but I won't get excited unless we beat Arsenal at the Etihad. I think Arsenal have the stronger squad on balance. We still have injuries to contend with and key players not in their best form. What we needed to do is be there if they slip up and we need to punish them for it!

John: I am a City fan but won't say anything until after the Newcastle game on Saturday. So far we haven't been consistent enough to close the gap despite Arsenal regularly dropping points since Xmas. The Geordies won easily 6-1 this week and not too many teams lose the next match after a performance like that, but we have to take this opportunity to have a chance.

Image source, Getty Images

So, a draw at rock-bottom Wolves and suddenly the same questions over Arsenal's mentality and "bottle" are being asked again.

The Gunners have won just two of their past seven Premier League games and have seen their lead reduced to five points, with Manchester City having a game in hand and the prospect of a meeting between the two sides at Etihad Stadium in April after they face each other in March's Carabao Cup final.

While there is still a lead, Arsenal's tally of 58 points is the fewest any Premier League leaders have had after 27 games since Leicester City in 2015–16 (56).

But is it time for fans to worry?

Despite recent inconsistency, Mikel Arteta's side remain heavy favourites with Opta's Supercomputer.

However, only 12 days ago, Arsenal's chance of winning the league was at 93.38% after they beat Sunderland 3-0 and moved a commanding nine points clear of City before their game against Liverpool the next day.

After back-to-back wins for City and consecutive draws for Arsenal, the likelihood that the Gunners do get over the line has dropped to 79.69% - still comfortably dwarfing City's 17.26%.

So, with 11 games to play, and a familiar foe breathing down your neck, we want to know how you feel with the current state of play.

Confident? Nervous? And how does your team make sure they get over the line?

Get in touch with your views here

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

After blowing a two-goal lead to draw against the Premier League's bottom club Wolves, there will be no dodging the questions on whether Arsenal are mentally ready to end their 22-year wait to become champions.

For the first time really this season, the title race is not completely in the control of Mikel Arteta and his players.

If Manchester City - five points behind in second place - win all of their remaining 12 games, which includes a home meeting against Arsenal, they will finish first.

Arteta's side will be crowned champions if they win the rest of their matches, including the one at the Etihad, but he knows they will come under fire and scrutiny.

"Any opinion, you have to take it on the chin," he said. "Any bullet, take it, because we didn't perform at the level required.

"Anything anyone says can be right because we didn't do what we had to do. The way to do it is on the pitch on Sunday [against Spurs].

"Extremely disappointed obviously with the result and with the way the game ended but we have to blame ourselves."

Only Crystal Palace and West Ham (both eight) have dropped more points from winning positions in the league in 2026 than Arsenal (seven) and the Gunners have now failed to win from a leading position in three of their past five league games.

This was also the first time in Premier League history that a side starting the day bottom of the table avoided defeat to the leaders despite trailing by two or more goals.

The result also meant Arsenal failed to win an away league game in which they had a two-goal lead for the first time since April 2023 at West Ham, stretching back 18 matches.

With a north London derby to follow at Tottenham on Sunday, Arsenal have to respond quickly.

Spurs will have Igor Tudor at the helm and they will hope he can give them the "new manager bounce" to add to the Gunners' misery.

Arteta admitted: "We need to go through the pain, looking in the mirror and understand what the game requires now on Sunday.

"Anything we say from here is fine but we need to keep it all in our tummies and show it on Sunday."

We asked for your views on league leaders Arsenal after they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with bottom side Wolves on Wednesday.

Here are some of your comments:

William: Without Martin Odegaard, we lack direction, inventiveness and effort. The sooner Mikel Arteta abandons his backwards, sideways technique and accepts that creativity has a role, the better.

Philip: Pathetic! Despite the depth of the squad and the versatility on offer, the team lacked imagination, drive and determination. If the club thinks a result is based on 20 minutes then this showed their naivety. The bottle has been well and truly opened and Manchester City are drinking from it. We were Tottenham in disguise!

Tai: Arsenal are trying to win and we support them even in difficult times like. Winning games will not be handed to Arsenal by any teams, so let's move on and work towards the goal at hand. One game at a time. I believe in our team and support them. Come on, Gunners, you got this!

Colin: Arsenal scored early and Wolves were all over the place. Looked like a bottom-of-the-table side. A routine Arsenal win looked odds-on but Arsenal still played in second gear, as if 1-0 was enough. Massive chance squandered.

Mark: Cruising at 2-0, then imploded. Soft centre allowing Wolves to rough us up. Bukayo Saka should have played on the wing, as Noni Madueka was non existent. Calamitous goal to concede at the end. Arsenal don't make it easy for themselves.

Doug: We need to remove the rose-tinted glasses. Manchester City are ruthless - a quality Arsenal just don't possess. So sad to see another title opportunity disappear like all the others. We've flattered to deceive for much of this season.

Darren: Absolutely bored out of my mind watching Arsenal. They break into great positions, then stop, hold it up, giving the other team time to get back into position - then we pass around and back to start again. Said it from the start, we WON'T win the league playing like this. Arteta needs to fix THAT.

Steve: Yet another very disappointing result. I can't see us winning the league playing like this. Pushing the ball from one side of the pitch to the other with no urgency whatsoever. I'm a Gooner and I must admit it's very boring to watch.

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's lacklustre performance at Wolves has only served to increase the nerves of supporters who are hoping to see them end their title drought.

Despite leading through Bukayo Saka's close-range header - his first goal since December - they lacked flow in attack.

Boss Arteta had again picked Saka in the number 10 role rather than the wing after an impressive performance in the FA Cup win over Wigan - and it looked as though that decision had the desired effect to get his side's frontline firing.

However, despite getting a second goal through Piero Hincapie, Arsenal did not do enough, nor look comfortable enough to deny the battling hosts.

This was meant to be a routine win against the league's bottom club - one they had beaten nine successive times since 2021 and scored against for a 37th time on the trot in all competitions.

David Raya didn't have a save to make in the first half, but Arsenal did not dominate as they should and paid the price.

With games against London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea to follow, the Gunners find themselves under a cloud of uncertainty and wondering whether their title dream will turn into another nightmare.

A trip to second-placed Manchester City is one of their remaining 11 games and Arteta and his squad will have to finally show they can deal with the pressure in the title run-in.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Incredibly disappointed that we gave two points away. I think we need to fault ourselves and give credit to Wolves. But what we did in the second half was nowhere near the standard that we have to play in order to win a game in the Premier League.

"There are certain things, certain basics that today we were very far from our level, and when you don't perform you can get punished, and we got punished. We have to accept the hits because that can happen when you are on top.

"There are certain basics we have to do and we did them so poorly, one after the other. And then you have no dominance, no control in the game."

On what he has to do to not let this season slip away: "Staying very close to them and reminding them how good they are."

Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports, added: "In the league, it is the reality that we have not been consistent over the past few months. When you have a moment of difficulty, we have to show how much we want it and how good we are. We have to stand up."

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Disappointed. Not much else to say. There was a big difference in how we played in the first half and the second half. We dropped our standards and we got punished for it.

On whether nerves are creeping into the side: "Time to focus on ourselves, improve our standards and improve our performances and it is in our control."

Did you know?

• This was the first time in the Premier League a side bottom of the table avoided defeat by the team top of the table after trailing by two goals.

• Only Crystal Palace and West Ham (both eight) have dropped more points from winning positions in the Premier League in 2026 than Arsenal's seven, and the Gunners have failed to win from a leading position in three of their past five league games.

• Saka scored his first goal since December, ending a run of 15 appearances for Arsenal without scoring, his longest goal drought for the club.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of Arsenal's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Boss Rob Edwards makes four changes for Wolves following Sunday's FA Cup win at Grimsby.

Jose Sa, Hugo Bueno, Angel Gomes and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde return at Molineux.

Sam Johnstone, David Moller Wolfe, Joao Gomes and Tolu Arokodare drop to the bench.

Wolves XI: Sa, Tchatchoua, Mosquera, S Bueno, Krejci, H Bueno, Andre, A Gomes, Bellegarde, Mane, Armstrong.

Subs: Johnstone, Lima, R Gomes, Doherty, Wolfe, Rawlings, J Gomes, Edozie, Arokodare.

Mikel Arteta has made seven changes from the side which beat Wigan comfortably in the FA Cup.

Bukayo Saka played as a number 10 in that game and it looks as though the England international could play there again at Molineux, after being withdrawn at the break on Sunday.

He is named in the starting line-up alongside wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke. The three will start behind striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Madueke, Martinelli, Saka, Gyokeres.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, White, Jesus, Eze, Norgaard, Trossard, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Bukayo Saka is one of the best wingers in the world, even if his numbers are down from what you would likely expect from him so far this season.

The 24-year-old has seven goals and seven assists in 33 games in all competitions this season.

One thing that makes Saka so threatening is that he can control the ball in tight spaces even when closely marked, and he showed that when challenged by the Wigan midfield while playing as a number 10 during the Gunners' FA Cup win.

He dropped deep to pick the ball up while he also swapped positions with Noni Madueke, who was playing in Saka's usual right-wing position, and the Gunners' third goal came from Saka's cross after good work between the pair on the right.

Saka playing in a central position could also mean the pathway for 16-year-old Max Dowman is clearer and means Mikel Arteta could play the talented youngster and Saka in the same side.

Madueke is also in excellent form and has three goals and an assist in his last five games. With Wolves on Wednesday and midfield injuries, there's a chance we could see Saka continue in his role, with Arteta hinting the England international could feature there more this season.

"That's something that's a possibility and I wanted to try it, and we might use it in the future," Arteta said.

"There are still so many games, competitions and different scenarios to play in this season, and that's a possibility that we have."

Read the full analysis of Mikel Arteta's use of Bukayo Saka here

Paul Birch
BBC Sport journalist

Top faces bottom as Arsenal travel to Wolves looking to extend their lead over Manchester City to seven points.

BBC Sport looks at the main talking points going into Wednesday's meeting at Molineux.

After booking their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2020, Arsenal return to the small matter of attempting to end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title.

In beating League One side Wigan they became first Premier League team to score four goals in the opening 30 minutes of an FA Cup tie, which was a good way to blow the cobwebs away after their disappointing draw with Brentford.

That result, which made it just two wins from six league games, prompted a slew of articles and filled the airwaves with debate over their title credentials with Manchester City breathing down their necks.

On paper, though, Wolves are the ideal opposition to get back on track and extend their lead to seven points given their incredible recent form against the West Midlands side.

The Gunners have won nine on the spin against Wolves, while nine victories in 11 at Molineux is their best record against a side they have played 10 or more times away from home in the Premier League.

But maybe the most impressive statistic is their run of scoring in 36 successive matches against Wanderers, a streak that can only be beaten in English football history by Wrexham's 49 games versus Darlington between 1929 and 1961.

Add in the fact that Arsenal have won their past 14 league matches against teams in the bottom three by an aggregate score of 40-4, then the odds are heavily stacked in favour of an away win.

Wolves' cup cheer in 'dark season'

Despite their grim record against Arsenal, Wolves deserve credit for their performance at Emirates Stadium in December- a game they only lost via two own goals, one of which was in the 94th minute.

They also picked up a morale boosting FA Cup win at the weekend, beating Grimsby away in a banana skin of a fixture played on a quagmire of a pitch. It put them into the fifth round for the third consecutive season for the first time since 1978-79 to 1980-81.

"It's been a really dark season, I suppose. A little bit of something for the fans to chat about, something to try to build more momentum going forward, is really, really important," said head coach Rob Edwards of their cup exploits.

But while performances have improved since Edwards came in, they remain 18 points from safety with just 36 available.

While relegation is almost inevitable, a key target will be surpassing Derby's mark for the lowest points tally for a Premier League season of 11 set in 2007-08.

Doing so against Arsenal might be a stretch, especially as they have lost 10 of their 13 home league matches at Molineux this season - a figure they have only surpassed twice before in a top-flight campaign (11 in 1964-65 and 13 in 2011-12).

They have also failed to score in 14 of their league matches this season.

Wolves ran Arsenal close at the Emirates in December, when Mikel Arteta's side needed a 94th-minute own goal to get the win.

Whenever the Gunners drop points now, they will have people questioning their bottle, but I don't think last week's draw at Brentford was a disaster.

As I've said before, Wolves are down and they have got only pride to play for. Arsenal want the points, and I think they will get them.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Make your own prediction here, external

Chris Howard
Fan writer

For some time now, many Arsenal fans have known about the intention of Bukayo Saka to sign on the dotted line. But the confirmation of it is still welcome.

Now Saka needs to evolve from what we have affectionately called our "starboy", to what now needs to be our "starman".

This season has been difficult - truncated by injuries and patches of form in which he hasn't been delivering as much end product as we (or he) would like.

It has meant that the expected linear ascent to stratospheric 'Ballon d'Or stardom' - he'd been delivering year-on-year increases in goals and assists before his injury last season - has not quite materialised.

But there is no doubting his talent. There is no doubting his ability. And I have no doubt he will be a legend at Arsenal. This deal ties Saka to Arsenal and Arsenal to Saka - and it's exactly how it should be.

Now it is time for him to take his place as the 'man' in this team, the keystone of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, who locks the side together, at a time when Gunners fans are getting to our most nervous.

Yes, we're in all competitions and yes, there may be calls not to worry from an outsider's perspective, but until Saka – and Arsenal – get over the line with silverware, those worries and nerves won't go away.

The good news is that these next few days could offer a pivotal moment in the season.

A win away at Wolves and then in the north London derby (which will be incredibly hard regardless of what the form guide says), and there will be the excitement ratcheting up.

But for that to happen, you do feel like Saka is going to need to show everyone that he is 'the guy' and deliver in these big games.

Find more from Chris Howard at Suburban Gooners, external and the Same Old Arsenal Podcast, external

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The agreement with Bukayo Saka is more important than the £250m outlay Arsenal made to bring in eight new players in the summer.

Saka's importance on the pitch, alongside his bond with supporters and his journey from the academy, make his position almost impossible to replicate.

His new deal commits the 24-year-old to the club into the peak years of his career and - after several seasons with numbers that match elite wingers across the game - Arsenal will benefit from the progression he could still achieve.

The second half of this season is crucial for Saka as he looks to help Arsenal lift a major trophy for the first time since the FA Cup in 2020.

Mikel Arteta can rely on him and he is one of the reasons why the majority of Arsenal's attacking play goes down the right - the side Saka plays on.

The forward is also set for an important summer with England at the World Cup.

Three Lions fans will hope that after a season of success with Arsenal, he can also deliver for his country on the biggest stage.

Watch a selection of Saka's best Premier League goals below (the video was originally published on 28 October 2024)...