And well he might as, when Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card just before half-time, it felt the like title might be slipping away from Arsenal.
After Lewis-Skelly was sent off, you wondered if this was going to be a game that typified Arsenal’s season - a controversial red card, missed chances and injuries.
After watching his side grind out this 1-0 win at Wolves, the Arsenal manager turned to his coaching staff and hugged them.
It looked a stonewall yellow card, the type of tactical foul Arteta is famed for liking his players to do.
Arsenal will rightly feel aggrieved about Lewis-Skelly’s red card.
