Glenn Hoddle Criticizes Bukayo Saka's Demeanor After Arsenal's Draw with Wolves
Former Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle has publicly criticized Arsenal captain Bukayo Saka for his reaction following the Gunners' disappointing 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. Hoddle specifically took issue with Saka's demeanor during a post-match interview, describing it as "very flat" and not fitting for a team captain.
Arsenal's Collapse Against Wolves
Arsenal, leading the Premier League table, faced a shocking setback at Molineux after squandering a two-goal advantage against Wolves, who are battling relegation. Bukayo Saka, captaining the side in place of the injured Martin Odegaard, opened the scoring within five minutes with a precise header from Declan Rice's cross. The Gunners extended their lead after halftime through Piero Hincapie, seemingly on course for a comfortable victory that would have extended their lead over Manchester City to seven points.
However, Wolves mounted an unlikely comeback. Hugo Bueno ignited hope with a stunning strike on the hour mark, and Tom Edozie secured a dramatic equalizer in injury time, earning Wolves only their 10th point of the season. This result left Arsenal's title aspirations under scrutiny, with the team dropping crucial points in a match they were expected to win convincingly.
Saka's Post-Match Comments
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Saka admitted the dressing room atmosphere was "very flat" and expressed disappointment with the team's second-half performance. He emphasized the need for immediate improvement, stating, "It's far from the level that we've set this season. It's time for us to reflect on the few performances and just fix the issues immediately so we can get back to winning games." When questioned about pressure in the title race, Saka dismissed concerns, focusing instead on returning to basic standards and leveraging the team's quality.
Arsenal legend Martin Keown supported Saka's honesty, noting that the captain's words showed resilience and a refusal to give up. Keown commented, "I can't disagree with anything that he's saying but what he's also saying is they're not giving up. I think he will be giving more in his next performances because they have to stand up."
Hoddle's Scathing Critique
In contrast, Glenn Hoddle offered a harsh assessment of Saka's interview, highlighting issues with the captain's demeanor. Hoddle remarked, "For me, he was very honest, very honest there saying they need to do better... blah blah blah. But his demeanour for me wasn't right. Your demeanour needs to be a little bit more up, he was very flat, very flat." Hoddle suggested that Arsenal are beginning to doubt themselves, losing the authoritative confidence they displayed earlier in the season.
He elaborated on Arsenal's psychological state, saying, "I look at Arsenal against Brentford and Wolves and I just feel they're starting to doubt themselves. A few months ago they weren't doing that, they were authoritative and were saying, 'we're Arsenal and we're going to win the title'. But they're doubting themselves and now they're under pressure and it's all about the mentality." Hoddle warned that unless Arsenal secure a result in their upcoming north London derby against Tottenham, they could face significant trouble in the title race.
Arteta's Reaction and Upcoming Challenges
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta echoed the disappointment, admitting fault in the team's performance. He stated, "Incredibly disappointed that we gave two points away. I think we need to fault ourselves and give credit to Wolves. What we done in the second half was nowhere near our standards that we have to play in order to win a game in the Premier League." Arteta emphasized the need for improvement in basic aspects of the game to regain control and dominance.
The Gunners now face a critical north London derby against Tottenham, who recently parted ways with manager Thomas Frank. This match presents a pivotal opportunity for Arsenal to rebound and reassert their title credentials amidst growing pressure and scrutiny from pundits like Hoddle.
