Mikel Arteta emphasises 'love' for Arsenal squad after latest slip-up in Premier League title race

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Evening Standard

·20 February 2026

Mikel Arteta emphasises 'love' for Arsenal squad after latest slip-up in Premier League title race

The Gunners lost footing in midweek as Premier League title race intensifies

Mikel Arteta refused to scream and shout at his Arsenal players after their draw with Wolves, insisting he has to keep showing he "loves" them.

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The Gunners surrendered a two-goal lead at Molineux to draw 2-2 and make it just two wins from their last seven Premier League matches.

Their five point lead at the top of the table over Manchester City comes with the caveat of having played a game more, and with a trip to the Etihad Stadium to come in April. It means both sides have the title race in their own hands.

Arsenal were dismal against Wolves but Arteta insisted he did not bring out the hairdryer treatment at Molineux and had no desire to do so.

"It’s not what I try to give them, it’s what they need," Arteta said.

"They need the truth. There is a really important diagram, the level of support and the demands you put on them. If you want the demands to be really, really high, the support [has to be] as well. Or it doesn’t work.

"Believe me, the demands are super high. They know. They have known for a long time. It’s not going to be an issue."

Gabriel and David Raya were involved in a calamitous mix-up for Wolves' stoppage-time equaliser, but going up for the same ball as it was spilled at the feet of Tom Edozie.

It is the latest in a significant line of big errors by Arsenal players leading to goals this season, but Arteta continued to back his squad.

He said: "I was a player. Love me when I draw or when I lose.

"When I win - to love you when I win is very, very easy. You have to love the players and be next to them when they need it the most."

Despite his warm words at his press conference on Friday, Arteta cut a hugely frustrated figure on the touchline at Molineux.

He spent much of the season half imploring his players to calm down and keep the ball, demands that fell on deaf ears.

Big blunder: David Raya

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Even when he is irritated, though, Arteta was adamant his feelings towards his squad do not change.

"That's not a choice that I have to make," Arteta said.

"I love them and that's it, like my kids regardless.

"The way I interact with them, the way I communicate with them, the way I try to support them and make them feel that I'm here, that we are all here.

"It's not that I love them - we love them, because it's impossible not to when you are ten minutes in that dressing room, around the building and you interact with them.

"It’s impossible not to, believe me. Even if you try hard, I think they will win you [over]."