Arsenal managed to secure a narrow 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium on December 13, 2025, but the performance left much to be desired for the Premier League leaders. What should have been a routine win against the bottom-placed side turned into a nail-biting affair, with the Gunners relying on a last-gasp own goal to avoid dropping crucial points. Amid the relief, questions are mounting over striker Viktor Gyokeres’ form, while manager Mikel Arteta has openly criticized his team’s recurring defensive lapses.
The match highlighted Arsenal’s recent struggles, coming off draws against Chelsea and Aston Villa. Despite dominating possession, Arteta’s side labored to break down Wolves’ resilient defense. The breakthrough finally came in the 70th minute when Bukayo Saka’s corner was fumbled by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, resulting in an own goal. However, the Emirates crowd was stunned in the 90th minute as Wolves’ Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare rose to head home an equalizer, capitalizing on a momentary lapse in concentration.
Breaking In Arsenal: Viktor Gyokeres in Firing Line as Mikel Arteta Calls Out ‘Really Poor Habits’
Arsenal managed to secure a narrow 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium on December 13, 2025, but the performance left much to be desired for the Premier League leaders. What should have been a routine win against the bottom-placed side turned into a nail-biting affair, with the Gunners relying on a last-gasp own goal to avoid dropping crucial points. Amid the relief, questions are mounting over striker Viktor Gyokeres’ form, while manager Mikel Arteta has openly criticized his team’s recurring defensive lapses.
The match highlighted Arsenal’s recent struggles, coming off draws against Chelsea and Aston Villa. Despite dominating possession, Arteta’s side labored to break down Wolves’ resilient defense. The breakthrough finally came in the 70th minute when Bukayo Saka’s corner was fumbled by goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, resulting in an own goal. However, the Emirates crowd was stunned in the 90th minute as Wolves’ Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare rose to head home an equalizer, capitalizing on a momentary lapse in concentration.
Disaster was averted just moments later when Yerson Mosquera inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, sealing the win for Arsenal. While the result keeps them atop the table, the manner of the victory has sparked concerns about the team’s ability to see out games comfortably.
Gyokeres Under Scrutiny
At the center of post-match discussions is £64million summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, who returned to the starting lineup after recovering from an injury sustained against Burnley last month. The 27-year-old Swedish forward played 81 minutes but failed to make a significant impact, extending his goal drought in the Premier League. Gyokeres appeared sluggish and unable to impose himself on the game, raising doubts about his fitness and readiness.
Club legend Martin Keown, speaking on TNT Sports, didn’t hold back in his assessment. He highlighted how substitute Gabriel Jesus’ introduction changed the dynamics, with the Brazilian’s intelligent movement directly contributing to the winning own goal. “I think it’s Jesus’ movement that ultimately helps [create the goal]. The defender gets unlucky and Jesus doesn’t get the touch, but it’s his run and movement which helps and that is definitely food for thought for the manager,” Keown said.
He added: “He looked good when he came on and Gyokeres is still not at the fitness level you would expect. There’s a real tussle for who is going to be that No.9 and Jesus has put himself right back in there.”
Gyokeres’ underwhelming display has put him firmly in the firing line, with fans and pundits alike questioning whether he deserves to retain his spot. Since joining from Sporting CP, the striker has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to fully adapt to the demands of English football. With Jesus breathing down his neck, Arteta faces a selection headache ahead of upcoming fixtures.
Arteta’s Frustration Boils Over
Mikel Arteta was visibly frustrated in his post-match comments, pinpointing his team’s “really poor defensive habits” as a major issue. After taking the lead, Arsenal retreated into a passive mode, allowing Wolves to build momentum and snatch a late equalizer. This pattern has emerged in recent games, with the Gunners conceding late goals in their last two Premier League outings.
“We scored the goal but then we had periods of three minutes in deep. So, passive, really poor defensive habits,” Arteta lamented. “It’s not acceptable for our level because we haven’t conceded a single shot till that point. The first time they do it, they score a goal. And that’s the Premier League, I’m going to be very much aware of that and improve that. Because at the end, you rely on individual action and very chaotic action to score the goal and win the game. The margins should have been bigger.”
Injuries to key defenders like Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have undoubtedly played a role in these vulnerabilities, disrupting what had been a solid backline earlier in the season. Arsenal’s impressive run of clean sheets has given way to sloppy concessions, and Arteta is determined to stamp out these issues before they derail their title challenge.
Looking Ahead
This scrappy win serves as a wake-up call for Arsenal, who cannot afford to drop points against lesser opposition if they aim to lift the Premier League trophy. With Gyokeres’ position under threat and defensive frailties exposed, Arteta has his work cut out to restore the team’s ruthlessness. As the festive fixtures approach, the Gunners must address these “poor habits” swiftly to maintain their lead at the top.
For now, the three points are in the bag, but the performance will linger in the minds of players and fans alike. Will Gyokeres step up, or will Jesus reclaim the No.9 role? Only time will tell as Arsenal navigates the intense title race.