Arsenal face ‘bottle job’ questions after implosion against Wolves, s… — and more

Arsenal should be braced for accusations they are “bottle jobs” in the wake of a disappointing 2-2 draw at Wolves.

The Gunners were two goals in front after strikes from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapie, but Hugo Bueno pulled one back for the hosts before debutant Tom Edozie scored a last-gasp equaliser.

Arsenal are now five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, but Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand.

Speaking on Sky Sports, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson said the mentality of Mikel Arteta’s side is going to come in for intense scrutiny in the season run-in.

“You can’t play in second gear. When it went 2-2, for the last three minutes there was an urgency, they didn’t have that [before Wolves’ equaliser]. You can’t play like that. Every game is a cup final until the end.

“You’ve got to play at a high tempo. If Arsenal play at a high tempo, Wolves can’t live with them. But to play the way they played, and it’s slow and lazy, and they are giving the ball away, then Wolves are always going to be in the game.

“That could come back to bite them. That is really, really disappointing tonight. It [criticism] is going come on full blast now – being ‘bottle jobs’, ‘melting’. It's full-on now.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was critical of his side’s performance.

“Extremely disappointed with the result and the way the game ended, but we have to blame ourselves,” he said. “In the second half we didn’t show anything close to the standards required in this league to win.

“It was one moment after another. Even though we scored the second goal, we never had control of the game — that’s the reality.”

Arsenal have now won only three of their last eight Premier League matches.

“Disappointed. Not much else to say,” Saka said. “There was a big difference between our first half and second half performances. We dropped our standards and were punished for it.

“It’s time to focus on ourselves, raise our standards and improve our performances. It’s in our control.”

Arteta said his team have to accept every criticism that comes their way and need to bounce back against Tottenham on Sunday.

He added: “That’s credit obviously to Wolves, they can’t be underestimated. It’s very basic things and simple things that today we did really wrong and that’s why we had the feeling without conceding much, when the game is open that kind of thing can happen.

“Any question, criticism, opinion, you have to take it on the chin today. That’s it. Any bullet, take it because we didn’t perform at the level required, Anything anybody says can be right because we didn’t do what we had to do. The way to do it is on the pitch on Sunday in another great opportunity we have.

“We have always done it but if you are strong you need to show it next time. To say it here is simple but we have to show it on the pitch.”

Wolves boss Rob Edwards saw his side pick up a second successive draw and was proud of the belief his side showed to gain an unlikely point.

“It’s nice to get a late equaliser and especially when you’re 2-0 down against a team like that. We’re up against Arsenal, everyone needs to have a bit of perspective. In the first 20-30 mins it was everything we expected the game to be like.

“We stayed in the game and that was important. We showed belief and played with a bit more emotion. To show that character and quality and all of that. It might be easier for the lads to lose belief but that’s not the case.”

Moise Kean, David De Gea and Dodo are not even available as Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli will rotate his squad for the first leg of the Conference League knockout play-off against Jagiellonia.

It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT) at the Stadion Miejski in Białystok, Poland, right after Brann-Bologna in the Europa League.

Fiorentina coach Vanoli has left many of the Viola stars at home as the Tuscans have an important Serie A match against Pisa next Monday.

FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Head coach Paolo Vanoli manager of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and AC Milan at Artemio Franchi on January 11, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The likes of Kean, Dodo, De Gea and Manor Solomon haven’t even made the trip, while Albert Gudmundsson is injured, and Marco Brescianini and Daniele Rugani are not part of the Tuscans’ UEFA list.

Roberto Piccoli will start in attack, and Jacopo Fazzini is expected to begin as a left winger, according to Sky Sport and other media.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Rolando Mandragora of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and ACF Fiorentina at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Vanoli has also called up seven Primavera players for this match.

Rolando Mandragora is expected to feature in the Viola XI tonight as he’ll be suspended for the next Serie A fixture against regional rivals Pisa.

Jagiellonia vs. Fiorentina – where to watch on TV

The match will be shown live on TNT Sports 9 in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Jagiellonia vs. Fiorentina – probable line-ups

Jagiellonia (4-3-3): Abramowicz; Wojtuszek, Vital, Pelmard, Wdowik; Flach, Mazurek, Pozo; Jóźwiak, Baždar, Imaz.

Fiorentina (4-3-3): Lezzerini; Fortini, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Ndour, Mandragora, Fabbian; Harrison, Piccoli, Fazzini.

The Brazilian Bull Built for a New Era

Some defenders fill a shirt, while others define a system. Murillo feels like the latter.

Liverpool’s reported interest in Nottingham Forest’s left-footed powerhouse is not random speculation. It feels strategic. At 23, the Brazilian has already established himself as one of the Premier League’s most physically dominant centre-backs — aggressive in the duel, fearless in recovery, and surprisingly composed in possession. If Forest falter financially or flirt with relegation, opportunities will emerge. And Liverpool should be ready.

What makes Murillo so intriguing is not merely his strength or aerial presence. It is his profile. Left-footed central defenders are tactical currency in the modern game. In a back three — particularly the one many anticipate Xabi Alonso would implement — balance is everything. The left centre-back must be capable of stepping into midfield channels, covering wide spaces, and initiating build-up under pressure.

Murillo does all three.

He carries the ball with authority, punches progressive passes into midfield, and relishes one-versus-one defensive scenarios. There is a rawness to his game, yes, but there is also controlled aggression — the kind that can be moulded within an elite structure.

Liverpool have been linked with Nico Schlotterbeck, Piero Hincapié, Alessandro Bastoni and even Micky van de Ven in various windows. All fine profiles. All capable. But Murillo feels different and logical. He feels Premier League-hardened already. No adaptation curve or fear of integration. No bedding-in narrative that sees him struggling to command a starting role. Just plug him into the left channel of a three and let him impose himself.

If Alonso is indeed the long-term vision, then defensive recruitment must reflect that identity. Murillo fits the blueprint almost perfectly.

Pairing Power with Power: The Elliott Anderson Factor

Yet systems are not built on defenders alone. They require ballast in midfield.

If Murillo is the structural piece at the back, Elliott Anderson could be the engine ahead of him.

Liverpool has lacked a genuine midfield powerhouse since Fabinho’s physical peak. Alexis Mac Allister brings intelligence. Dominik Szoboszlai brings drive and creativity. Curtis Jones brings control. But there is an argument that a combative, all-action presence remains missing.

Anderson has that edge.

The Nottingham Forest midfielder covers ground relentlessly, presses with bite, and drives forward with the ball at pace. He is not merely a destroyer; he is progressive. In a potential Alonso system, where transitions must be managed aggressively and wide channels protected, that profile becomes essential.

The idea of investing heavily in one club may sound dramatic — but context matters. Forest’s spending under Evangelos Marinakis has been chaotic at times. Financial pressures could force movement regardless of league status. If Liverpool were to commit significant funds — perhaps in the region of £120m combined — it would not be reckless. It would be targeted.

Murillo shores up the defensive spine. Anderson reinforces the midfield core. Together, they inject power, athleticism and future-proofing into a squad that increasingly requires structural evolution.

As for Arne Slot, recent improvements may not be enough to silence long-term uncertainty. If change is coming, recruitment must align with that direction rather than react to short-term form.

The Brazilian bull at centre-back. The relentless engine in midfield.

If Liverpool are serious about building a side capable of adapting to a new era — and potentially a new manager — then a calculated raid on Nottingham Forest might not be opportunistic. It might be essential.