Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has revealed how a dressing room meeting without manager Mikel Arteta helped the Gunners overcome a difficult period on their way to winning last season’s Premier League title.

The north London club ended their 22-year wait for the English top-flight crown, but Merino admitted that their title ambitions were seriously threatened following a disappointing result against Wolverhampton Wanderers in February.

Arsenal appeared to be cruising towards victory following a two-goal advantage against the Premier League’s bottom club.

However, Wolves fought back to secure a draw, raising fresh questions about the Gunners’ ability to handle the pressure of a title race.

According to the Evening Standard, Merino admitted that the result also created uncertainty among the players, prompting them to hold an emergency dressing room meeting the following day.

The Spain international explained that the discussion focused on taking responsibility rather than addressing tactical shortcomings.

What Merino Said

“One slip, and all we heard was ‘same old Arsenal’,” Merino said.

“To be honest, there were doubts inside the team too. Giving away a 2–0 lead should never happen. But the day after the game, the players had a meeting inside the dressing room, without the boss.

“Everyone spoke up. Nobody talked about tactics. This was about how a group of human beings handle adversity together.

“I spoke about how I saw the team from the outside, and I said that this was something we as players had to handle, because the boss couldn’t do everything for us.

“When one person has so many tasks at one club, you need leaders who can figure things out on their own. Well, at this club, we do.

“In my view, that was the day we won the title. Even when we lost to Bournemouth and City, that meeting kept us together.”

Merino was unable to contribute on the pitch during that crucial period after suffering a serious foot injury that left him sidelined for several months.