Tolu Arokodare criticises Wolves defensive errors after a painful late defeat to Arsenal, calling the recurring lapses hurtful

Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Toluwalase Emmanuel Arokodare has criticised his side’s recurring defensive lapses after their 2-1 Premier League defeat to Arsenal, describing the late concession as deeply hurtful.

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Arokodare, who scored Wolves’ equaliser in the 91st minute, spoke after the match following another stoppage-time collapse that denied the club a valuable point.

“It’s hurtful,” Arokodare told TNT Sports. “It’s been happening to us the whole season. We play very well for 90 minutes and then concede at the end.”

The Nigerian striker said the pattern of late goals conceded has become a troubling theme for Wolves, stressing the need for sharper concentration until the final whistle.

“This is not the first time we’ve conceded in the last minute,” he said. “It’s something we have to work on. It was a good goal from them, but it was also a bit of poor defending from us.”

Arokodare had briefly revived Wolves’ hopes when he connected with a Mateus Mané cross to level the score late on, only for Arsenal to strike again moments later.

Despite the defeat, the summer signing highlighted encouraging signs from the performance against the league leaders.

“We played against the best team in the league,” he said. “Their first goal came from a corner, we came back, and then they scored again late. There are positives to take.”

The striker also admitted Wolves must improve their attacking output, having struggled for goals in recent matches.

“We need to score more,” Arokodare said. “We’ve had chances, but we haven’t been lucky in attack or defence. Hopefully, that will change soon.”

Wolves’ defensive struggles have been evident throughout the season, with the club recording the highest number of own goals in the Premier League.

Those lapses have undermined otherwise resilient performances as the team battles to avoid relegation.

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Arokodare, who missed out on Nigeria’s final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, remains focused on club duties and helping Wolves stabilise their campaign.