Paul Merson says Arsenal were punished for playing in "second gear" as they threw away a two-goal lead to draw against the Premier League's bottom side Wolves.
Arsenal looked set to go seven points clear when Piero Hincapie added to Bukayo Saka's early opener but Hugo Bueno pulled a goal back in stunning style before a mix-up between Gabriel and David Raya allowed debutant Tom Edozie to equalise in the 94th minute.
The result follows Arsenal's 1-1 draw against Brentford last week and means their destiny in the title race is no longer in their hands. Manchester City can reduce the gap to two points by winning their game in hand and welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium on April 18.
As in the game against Brentford, Arsenal lost their composure in the closing stages at Molineux, and Merson predicts his former side will face accusations of being "bottle jobs" as another title race appears to swing the way of Manchester City.
"If Man City win all their games from now on, they win the league," said Merson on Sky Sports.
"It's disappointing. You can't play in second gear. When Wolves went to 2-2, there was an urgency. They didn't have that before. You can't play like that. Every game is a cup final to the end.
"You've got to play at a high tempo. If Arsenal play at a high tempo, Wolves can't live with them. But to play the way they played, and it's slow and lazy, and they are giving the ball away, then Wolves are always going to be in the game.
"That could come back to bite them. That is really, really disappointing tonight.
"It's going come on full blast now, being bottle jobs, melting. It's full-on now - drawing away at Brentford and then being two goals up against the worst team in the league."
Lakabcirs
0
You people call Rice best midfielder in the word, funny
Kinadlnosu
0
we Aim four trophy 🏆🏆🏆
tutekntuz
1
From 12 points clear to 7 points clear to 5 points clear to 2 points clear, it's that clear?😆😆 With time, i hope everything will be clear
niybimosty
1
Lovebug2
2
5 games to go for Arsenal to win the EPL according to silly media
Jowacekmpu
0
I don't know what is wrong with our team arsenal
Utdw3Stand
2
Arsenal don’t bottle the league… They artisanally craft the bottle, polish it all season, put their name on it… then smash it themselves when it matters most.
Cooabmnruz
0
too over layed anf slowly fuck up sluggished
Luebeikno
0
now it your turn to talk about Arsenal always u talk about chelsea dis n dat so nw u sa d truth u n that idiot caragaherr of liver u don't no nothing about jus guess go n Learn more
fiuabcklop
2
Arteta can't win Arsenal premier League
nupiklmnpy
4
let them spend billion more...
miwdikmoy
5
arteta can make arsenal go another 20years without a trophy with his experiments
Shugarzizzle
1
this message is for "malabata".. the fifa princess says hi.. he also said to win a title at least 😂🤣😂
I swr that guy is so stupid and always annoying here im also waiting for his response
Faoblnopry
2
Bring back Arsene Wenger and this squad will win trophies
Faoblnopry
1
Arsenal are not playing at their level. it's very disappointing to watch them playing slow and toiling.
Pupabors
1
arteta killed this club he is working for pep city.arsenal play backward
ANK3430
3
I don't know what all the fuzz is about. It's not as if City is putting together streaks of wins in PL, if we were, we would be at least 6 points ahead of Arsenal. Arms crossed at the moment
Tuebcdeins
0
I'm s a Liverpool fan, l 'm praying and hoping Arsenal, win the league, though 'am disappointed l still have hope because city is not the city we know. l can't see them winning. 12 games. Who knows least we forget may villa can do the Leicester
Gannymalta
0
Slow, clueless .... and selfish to distribute balls in the upper third. Backward passes experts, poor fighting spirit, poor penetration into upper third - how do you score without solid attacking!?! If Wolves, at position 20 is so difficult, which team is beatable? With this play, lazy approach, routine uncalculated substitution, every team especially in EPL will come charged and confident like never before. Arsenal is embarrassing it's fans. There is nothing to blame owners for. Arteta got time, squad depth.... Catch up and prove your gem!
seaeknpyz
2
Why was Martinelli still on the pitch during the last 20 mins of the game, obviously he was very tired and Arteta seemed very worried instead of trying to inspire confidence in his troops.
dotbkmnost
2
Arsenal is missing Merino, the Spanish Maestro, Rice is overrated ....
supbdlnpyz
3
this message is for "malabata".. the fifa princess says hi.. he also said to win a title at least 😂🤣😂
Iffy106
0
Arteta after the ending of the season
putimopruz
0
Arsenal Js luck that de broyner is gone otherwise thy ae from city
Raccdkmrty
0
Arteta is still loyal to his previous employer and his buddy Pep.
Hipbeostz
1
It is your turn to cry and cry Paul Merson, you fools always talk about Chelsea this, Chelsea that, instead of focusing on your clueless and mediocre Arsenal team, it is Chelsea that is your problem, now,you've said it loud and clear that Arsenal are BOTTLING MERCHANDISE. LET'S THE VAWULENCE CONTINUE
pipbknsy
0
the manager is the fault here,if the boys were lazy then substitute them and be firm instead of being afraid
Keyckmotz
1
I dnt know what Norgaard did to arteta Its obvious we re gonna bottle this league once again This players mentality is toooo poor When trossard went off injured why not play Norgaard to control the midfield Zubimendi can't play under pressure it's quite obvious Am really done arsenal for real Am fucking done
Jabacnostu
1
This further proves that Arteta can't beat his master Pep to the EPL title...
Football_Wiz25
4
They’re back, Arsenal are back 🤣🤣
vaebdikmsu
1
amateur coach and un serious players, they will always disappoint
vaebdikmsu
0
Arsenal,.. useless coach with in unprofessional players... jokers who will end the season trophy less
KingCarrot
2
Arsenal Women team would have beaten Wolves easily
Richardoghale
0
Baby coach Arteta
denadintuz
1
Arsenal will bottle it. It's City will win the EPL...
vosikmptuz
0
Arsenal always struggle to work the ball through defenses . No player to lift the ball over a tight defense like Wolves ' first goal. Arteta seems to lack the managerial skill to build such a team as well. Arsenal will win nothing that way.
fenalpsu
1
Arsenal are giving wolves and other teams confidence ...at home they scored two own goals and arsenal were lucky,so today they were full of confidence...what was Raya thinking because Gabi could have cleared the ball no wolves player was so close for Raya to try and punch the ball while Gabi infront....very unlucky for Calafiori because nothing he could have done.
Raya is just useless i prefer Kepa to that short thing
Ceaabcdmry
0
🤣🤣🤣
Yorokiri
5
Give away fc have started again 🤣🤣
Yorokiri
2
Nobody is surprised anymore, it's a Normal thing with Arsenal...
Cazadmstyz
1
Arsenal are giving wolves and other teams confidence ...at home they scored two own goals and arsenal were lucky,so today they were full of confidence...what was Raya thinking because Gabi could have cleared the ball no wolves player was so close for Raya to try and punch the ball while Gabi infront....very unlucky for Calafiori because nothing he could have done.
yiaacmorsz
0
arteta has so many things to learn. they (arsenal)played without a 10 on pitch
reybcekmtz
1
too bad to night to give away two important points Arsenal kills us they should let Arteta leave our team he not mature to win the league
Zibclprs
2
sure indeed it's disappointing, this game would have been the easiest game among the remaining games
Ismailzico
1
That's our expectations before arsenal is a bottle fc 🤣🤣