Arteta: Arsenal are 'exactly where we want to be'

Mikel Arteta insisted that Arsenal are "exactly where we want to be" in every competition following criticism of his team's performance against Wolves in midweek. 

Arteta watched on as Arsenal missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points after drawing 2-2 with the division's bottom side. 

Tom Edozie netted a 94th-minute equaliser for Rob Edwards' side at Molineux following a mix-up between Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya from a ball into the box. 

Wolves' late leveller prompted cheers of "second again ole ole" while many are suggesting they are "bottling" their current bid for a first top-flight title since 2003-04. 

However, the Gunners still hold a five-point lead over Manchester City, who have a game in hand, while they also take on Pep Guardiola's team in next month's EFL Cup final. 

Arsenal also face Mansfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup, while they qualified for the Champions League last 16 after finishing top of the league-phase table

"No, because I think everybody has their own opinion, and their perspective is the right one," Arteta told reporters when asked if those on the outside needed perspective. 

"We have ourselves a very clear instruction. We have to live in the present. What we did in the past is great, but we have to live the present, and the present is beautiful.

"We are exactly where we want to be in every competition, but there is still lots to play, and we need to earn it like we have done in the last seven or eight months."

Arsenal's draw with Wolves was the first time in Premier League history that a side starting the day bottom of the table avoided defeat to the side starting the day top despite trailing by at least two goals.

The Gunners also failed to win a Premier League away game in which they had a two-goal lead for the first time since April 2023 at West Ham, ending an 18-game winning run on the road when two goals ahead in the league.

Arsenal's lead at the top could be as little as two points by the time they square off against Tottenham in Sunday's north London derby, with City in action against Newcastle United 24 hours earlier at Etihad Stadium. 

"What I've seen [from the players] is a tremendous reaction. And I'm not surprised at all," the Arsenal boss added.

"When you lose points in the last kick of the game in a very unpredictable manner, because to predict a team with a 0.02 xG is going to score, nobody can really understand that.

"But this is football, that's the beauty of it. The instant reaction is pain; it was a shock to the system, and after that, it's: 'Okay, what can I do about it?'

"That was chapter 27. And what I'm very interested in is the next chapter, what we are made of, and how we write our own destiny from here going forward."