The Gunners required two late own goals to secure a 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium, with their decisive moment arriving deep into stoppage time after Wolves had threatened to snatch a point. Despite dominating possession for long spells, Arsenal struggled to break down a deep defensive block and created fewer clear openings than expected against the league’s bottom side.

Gyokeres endured a frustrating evening at the tip of the attack, seeing little of the ball and registering limited involvement before being withdrawn late on. However, Arteta insisted the Sweden international’s performance must be judged in the context of the service he received.

The Arsenal manager acknowledged his side lacked sharpness in the final third, particularly in the first half, when promising positions failed to translate into meaningful chances. He pointed to moments where deliveries into the box were delayed or lacked the accuracy required for a traditional No.9 to thrive.

Arteta stressed that responsibility is shared between striker and teammates, explaining that Gyokeres made repeated runs into dangerous areas but was not found quickly enough or with sufficient quality. He added that the forward’s work rate and commitment were not in question and urged patience as the team continues to build understanding around him.

Defensively, Arteta admitted frustration at conceding from Wolves’ first real attacking moment after a brief lapse in concentration. He described those periods as unacceptable at the top level and warned that Arsenal cannot rely on late, chaotic moments to secure victories.

The win was tempered by concerns over Ben White, who was forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring problem. Arteta confirmed the defender would undergo further assessment in the coming days, with the club already stretched by injuries elsewhere in the squad.

Arsenal remain focused on the positives of grinding out results, but Arteta made clear improvements are needed particularly in supplying their striker as the title race intensifies.