Martin Keown urges Arsenal to undergo ‘reset’ to overcome Premier League title race nerves - ‘The penny will drop’
By James Hilsum
Updated 19/02/2026 at 21:26 GMT
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Martin Keown gave his verdict on Arsenal's hugely frustrating 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Wednesday. The Gunners remain on top of the top of the table, but Manchester City's destination is now in their own hands, as Mikel Arteta's side dropped two points in pursuit of a first title in 22 years. The Gunners face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday looking to get back on track.
'The Premier League is the big one' - Keown hopes Arsenal can wake up after Wolves shock
Video credit: TNT Sports
Martin Keown urged Arsenal to return to basics and that the "penny will drop" in their flailing Premier League title bid.
The Gunners surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side five points clear of Manchester City having played a game more than their rivals.
Pep Guardiola’s team could cut the gap at the top to a mere two points when they host Newcastle United at the Etihad on Saturday - a game live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Keown reflected on Arsenal’s lackadaisical performance against Wolves, but insists now is the time to "reset" and rediscover their clinical edge.
"It's normal when you want something so much, sometimes it can get the better of you," he told TNT Sports.
"But there's plenty of time to learn from it. They've not been in this situation where they've been in front too often. I think it's almost about doing a reset here, which they've talked about in the past. If we were starting the season afresh, you'd just go after your opponent and just finish the job off.
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'Sometimes it can get the better of you' - Keown says Arsenal need to be more ruthless
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I think that's what they were guilty of last night, not really going after it, not being ruthless enough, not being clinical enough. But then you also have to trust your team-mates in the moment.
"You need to try to create a steely calm determination, which they've got to re-find now before their next match against Spurs."
The Gunners will face Guardiola’s side at least twice more this season, with their Carabao Cup final showdown to come at Wembley on March 22.
Keown highlighted how winning a game of that magnitude against your title rivals in another competition can serve as added impetus.
The former Arsenal defender recounted how a costly FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United in 1999 proved pivotal in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side going on to win the Treble that season.
He continued: "We've seen it in the past. I remember being involved in '99 when Manchester United beat us in that epic FA Cup semi final, and they went on and won all before them.
"By the way, we didn't fall off a cliff by any means, we only lost the league by a point and there was a lot of resolve there. But it could give you that extra energy that finally you've been rewarded as winners.
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"But when you win a trophy, you've got to win another one. That's how it is. The Premier League is the big one for me. That's what sets you apart, and that's what's so disappointing about last night.
"But they have a chance and there are plenty of games now. We have 11 games, and Glenn Hoddle was describing it as the back nine in the Masters.
"This is when the going gets tough and start to perform. Hopefully, they will now wake up, and the penny will drop, and they will recover and perform better than last night."
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