Mikel Arteta is the Head Coach of Arsenal
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta showed visible frustration during his press conference on Friday, February 20, 2026, after a journalist referred to his side as “bottlers” ahead of Sunday’s North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
The question comes at a sensitive moment in Arsenal’s season. After finishing second in three consecutive Premier League campaigns, the Gunners once again looked destined for glory in 2025/26, opening up an 11-point lead at the top of the table.
But that cushion has now been slashed to just two points, with critics suggesting history could repeat itself.
When asked whether he was worried about his team being labelled “bottlers,” Arteta made it clear he rejected the tag.
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“That’s individual opinions, perspective, and you have to respect that. I mean, that’s what I said after the press conference. You lose two points against Wolves in the manner that the game played out; you have to take it on the chin. That’s it. It’s part of our role,” he said.
However, the Spaniard drew a line at the narrative, questioning his players’ mentality.
“It’s not part of my vocabulary and I don’t see it like that because I don’t think anybody wants to do that as an intention,” he added.
With the title race tightening and Tottenham Hostspurs looming on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Arsenal could go five points clear of Manchester City with a win.
Watch the video below:
Mikel Arteta’s face when a journalist mentioned the ‘bottlers’ tag in his North London Derby press conference 😳
If looks could kill…#StanSportAU #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/HNlHrityKu
— Stan Sport Football (@StanSportFC) February 22, 2026
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