Mikel Arteta rules out ‘bottlers’ jibe but accepts Arsenal must take title criticism

Guardian Sport

by Ed Aarons

February 20, 2026

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Mikel Arteta has distanced himself from using the term “bottlers” to describe his Arsenal team after they squandered a 2-0 lead against Wolves, instead opting to take criticism “on the chin.” The Arsenal manager emphasized that such language is not part of his vocabulary and stressed the importance of learning from setbacks as the team aims to stay competitive in the Premier League title race. With Manchester City set to face Newcastle on Saturday night, Arsenal’s challenge continues with a crucial match against Tottenham on Sunday, which could significantly impact the standings. Arsenal’s performance against Wolves highlighted their inability to maintain a lead, a recurring issue this season. Despite dominating the first half and taking a two-goal advantage, the team struggled to hold onto their momentum in the second half. Arteta acknowledged the criticism but avoided using the controversial term “bottlers,” which has been used elsewhere to describe teams that falter under pressure. Instead, he focused on the need for his players to improve their decision-making and resilience. The Premier League title race remains tightly contested, with Manchester City holding a slight lead over Arsenal heading into the weekend’s fixtures. If Manchester City wins against Newcastle, their advantage could narrow further, making every point even more crucial for both teams. Arsenal’s ability to bounce back from their midweek disappointment will be key as they prepare to face Tottenham, who are aiming to close the gap on the top four. The match against Tottenham is a significant test for Arsenal, not

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Originally published on Guardian Sport on 2/20/2026