Arteta calls for consistency as Arsenal prepare for Wolves test

Arsenal travel to Molineux on Saturday, eager to bounce back from last weekend’s frustrating draw against Aston Villa. Despite a strong start, a 2-0 lead was squandered, leaving the Gunners six points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.

A commanding 3-0 mid-week victory over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League offered a timely boost. Goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard not only restored some confidence but also left Mikel Arteta’s men on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages.

Arteta hopes this momentum will carry over into their domestic campaign. “We have evolved as a team,” he said. “But the margins are very small. We must stay at it and elevate our standards.”

The trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers, however, is no foregone conclusion. While Arsenal comfortably defeated them 2-0 earlier this season, the hosts are a team desperate for points. Wolves have lost their last three league matches, conceding nine goals in the process, and are teetering above the relegation zone on goal difference.

New manager Vítor Pereira has struggled to arrest the slide. “They are a well-coached team,” Arteta acknowledged. “Especially at home, they’re a tough side to beat.” Wolves will likely approach the game with a compact and physical style, seeking to exploit any defensive lapses in Arsenal’s ranks.

Injuries remain a concern for Arsenal, particularly in defence and attack. Ben White is still unavailable, while William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly are racing against time to be fit. With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus sidelined, Arteta conceded that reinforcements are needed up front. “We lack options in the front line,” he said. “If we can get the right player, we are actively looking.”

Despite these setbacks, Arsenal’s attack remains potent. The form of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard provides hope, with both players stepping up in recent weeks. Their movement and finishing could prove decisive against a vulnerable Wolves defence.

Arsenal’s unbeaten league run now stands at 12 matches, the second-longest streak in the division. Yet, if they are to stay in contention for the title, consistency is paramount. As Arteta put it, “There’s still a long, long way to go, but we must be there to capitalise when others slip.”

Saturday’s fixture offers a chance to do just that. Arsenal must seize the opportunity to pile pressure on Liverpool and remind the league that they remain serious contenders.