The ghost of seasons past has returned to the Emirates Stadium. After squandering a commanding two-goal lead to draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arsenal find themselves fighting not just Manchester City, but a narrative that is becoming increasingly difficult to shake: that they lack the mental fortitude to cross the finish line.

The term "bottle job" is harsh, reductive, and often unfair—but in football, perception is reality. When you lead the Premier League's bottom side 2-0 with minutes to play and walk away with a single point, you invite the label. The collapse at Molineux was spectral; a team cruising towards a routine victory suddenly seized by panic, conceding late goals that felt less like bad luck and more like a psychological capitulation.

A Familiar Script?

Mikel Arteta's revolution at Arsenal has been undeniable, turning a driftless side into perennial contenders. Yet, the final step—the ruthless efficiency required to depose a machine like Manchester City—remains elusive. Pundits and rival fans have been quick to draw parallels to the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns, where the Gunners' title charges withered in the spring heat.

"The 'bottle' word will be used," admitted one commentator. "It's inevitable. Until they lift the trophy, every dropped point will be framed as a loss of nerve." The statistics are damning: Arsenal has spent more days at the top of the league without winning the title than any other club in history. This latest stumble cuts their lead to a fragile margin, handing the psychological initiative back to their relentless rivals.

• The City Factor: Manchester City need no invitation to capitalize. With their experience in chasing down leads, any slip from Arsenal is magnified.
• Arteta's Challenge: The manager's task is now primarily psychological. He must insulate his squad from the toxic "choker" narrative and restore the arrogance that defined their early-season form.

The Mental Block

The draw against Wolves was not a tactical failure; it was a failure of game management and composure. Leading teams kill games. They hoard possession, they draw fouls, they silence the crowd. Arsenal, instead, became frantic, treating the ball like a hot potato as the clock ticked down.

The title is still in their hands, but the grip is loosening. To banish the "bottle" tag, Arsenal doesn't just need to win games; they need to show they can suffer without breaking. The next few fixtures will reveal whether this team has finally learned the lessons of their past heartbreaks, or if they are destined to be the best team to never win it—again.