Arteta lambasts passive defending after nervy win over Wolves

Mikel Arteta criticised Arsenal’s defending after his side squeezed past bottom club Wolves 2-1, calling aspects of the performance “unacceptable” and pointing to a spell of passive defending that allowed the visitors to level late on. The result extended Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to five points but finished in nervy fashion.

The opener came early in the second half when Arsenal benefited from a rebound off Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. Wolves then produced a dramatic late response: Tolu Arokodare headed them level in the 90th minute, only for Yerson Mosquera to turn the ball into his own net in the fourth minute of stoppage time to hand Arsenal the win.

Arteta was particularly vexed by a brief period in which his team dropped too deep without the required intensity. He said the players became passive for a couple of minutes in a low block, allowing Wolves — who had had almost no attacking threat until then — to take advantage. He argued that defending deep is acceptable when opponents commit numbers forward, but the activity, aggression and organisation inside that block must be much higher.

The manager also highlighted Arsenal’s inability to convert promising situations in the first half. The hosts did not register a shot on target before the break and squandered a clear headed chance from close range, with Arteta noting the team struggled to pick out red shirts in the danger areas until the second half.

Fitness concerns added to the frustration. Ben White limped off in the first half with what Arteta described as a hamstring problem that will be assessed in the coming days. Arsenal remain without Gabriel Magalhães and Cristhian Mosquera, and Arteta admitted he had probably taken a risk by allowing William Saliba to complete 90 minutes on his return from injury, saying they had limited options and that situation is dangerous.