Arsenal pair singled out for actions in Wolves draw as dressing room claim made

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Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has criticised Leandro Trossard and David Raya and claimed there is panic in the dressing room after the Gunners surrendered their advantage against Wolves on Wednesday night. Mikel Arteta's team witnessed the Premier League title contest burst wide open after stumbling against the division's basement club.

Strikes from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie handed Arsenal what appeared to be a comfortable lead at Molineux, but the north London outfit failed to secure three points . Hugo Bueno reduced the arrears before Tom Edozie exploited a blunder between David Raya and Gabriel Magalhaes in the 94th minute.

The outcome means that if both sides triumph in their other remaining fixtures, the encounter between Arsenal and Manchester City will determine the title race. Smith is uncertain whether Arsenal possess the resolve to cope with the pressure following their performance against Wolves .

The Sky Sports pundit reckons the Gunners fell apart in their stalemate and Trossard and Raya's actions demonstrate that anxiety is evident in Arteta's squad. "It feels like a pivotal moment," he said.

"A vital one. Maybe a turning point. We'll wait and see. Obviously, it's in Manchester City's hands now, but having been two goals up against the team that's rock bottom on nine points, it's not good enough.

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"And the way things unravelled at the end with Trossard just trying to waste time and then David Raya panicking coming out when he didn't need to come out it doesn't bode well for Arsenal being able to handle the pressure.

"There is clearly a lot of nerves within the camp, the whole situation seems to be getting the better of them. It did tonight and going forward, but it doesn't bode well."

Arsenal manager Arteta admitted his team must accept any criticism directed at them following the outcome, including queries about their mentality.

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"I think any question, any criticism, any opinion, you have to take it on the chin today. I think that's it," he stated.

"Any hit, any bullet, take it, because we didn't perform at the level that is required. Anything that anybody says can be right because we didn't do what we had to do.

"The way to do it is on that pitch on Sunday, in a great opportunity that we have. We've always done it, but you're as strong if you show it the next time you do it. To talk and say it here, it's simple, and we have to do it on the pitch."

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