Mikel Arteta has suggested other Arsenal players need to provide a better service to Victor Goqueres, who struggled against Wolves.
Mikel Arteta has defended Victor Gokeres’ performance against Wolves, instead blaming some of his struggles on Arsenal’s other stars. The Gunners won 2-1 on Saturday night, with all three goals coming in the final 20 minutes and the decisive shot coming deep in stoppage time.
Sam Johnstone’s lucky own goal from Bukayo Saka’s corner put Arsenal ahead, before Tolu Alokodare equalized in the dying minutes. However, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Jelson Mosquera fortuitously slotted the ball into his own goal, securing Arsenal the three points.
Arsenal were far from their best performance against underground clubs in the Premier League, and Arteta admitted this and explained why they faced difficulties.
read more: Bukayo Saka leaves Arsenal team-mates confused after Wolves’ late win – ‘I didn’t understand why’read more: Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal’s worries despite Wolves’ last-minute win
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, especially if we didn’t score early in the game. There were a lot of situations in the first half, but Martinelli only had one big chance. He was completely free with two yards to go and he couldn’t score.”
“But once we got to the danger zone, we struggled to pick out the red shirts in the box. We had a lot of situations, but we didn’t create many clear-cut chances.
“We did a little better in the second half and got a goal. But then we had a period where we were defending deep for about three minutes, so we were too passive, which was really bad defensive habits. We hadn’t conceded a single shot before, so it’s not acceptable at our level. The first time they do it, they score. That’s the Premier League.”
65% off Premier League kits and merchandise
Various prices
kit bag
Click here to purchase sale items
Kitbag has taken up to 65% off soccer kits and merchandise. Fans can find products from Premier League clubs such as Man United, Man City, Liverpool, Everton, Arsenal and Spurs at discounted prices.
“We are very aware of that and we need to improve on that, because to score a goal in the last minute and win the game, we rely on very chaotic single actions. The margin should have been much bigger.”
Wolves made effective use of their defensive low block at the Emirates Stadium, and Jokeles’ involvement was kept to a minimum.
Despite taking just 15 touches in 81 minutes on the pitch, Arteta chose to suggest his team-mates could do more to support him.
On Gokeres needing to contribute more while also needing his service, Arteta said: “It’s a combination of the two of them. He was in a lot of really good positions, but he just couldn’t get the ball into the area fast enough, sharp enough or with the precision that the number nine needed to score.”
“But his work rate and intent were there, so we need to keep insisting.”
The only major stumbling block in this game was Ben White’s hamstring injury, and Arteta provided an update after the game.
He confessed, “It seems like it’s a hamstring. I don’t know the extent of it, but I’ll probably know more about it tomorrow or the day after.”
Arsenal’s 2025/26 season has been plagued by injuries, with Julian Timber, Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba all heading into the weekend as question marks.
Arteta even admitted it was a gamble to bring in the latter after he was sidelined in recent weeks.
“We had to risk Willie today because he was ticketed for another injury and playing 90 minutes probably wasn’t their best goal. But we don’t have anyone else.”
