Arsenal’s dwindling chances of winning the Premier League suffered another blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United at Old Trafford. The result leaves the Gunners 15 points behind league leaders Liverpool with just 10 games remaining in the season.
Bruno Fernandes put Manchester United ahead just before halftime with a superb curling free-kick that beat Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. The Gunners managed to equalize in the 74th minute through Declan Rice, who fired a first-time shot past Andre Onana. However, the United goalkeeper was criticized for his role in the goal, with many suggesting he could have done better to keep it out.
Arteta Frustrated as Arsenal Miss Opportunities
Mikel Arteta was visibly agitated after the match, expressing his frustration with his team’s lack of ruthlessness. Speaking in the post-match interview, the Arsenal boss highlighted missed opportunities and poor decision-making in key moments, particularly in the final third.
“We had an exceptional first half but didn’t test the goalkeeper enough. We rushed our chances, lost duels, and could have ended up losing the game,” Arteta said. “The way we conceded was unacceptable. When you face a team like Manchester United, they have the quality to punish you, and they did.”
Arteta also defended his players while stressing the need for improvement. “I will always defend my players, but in those moments, we have to do better. We opened the gate to lose the game ourselves, and that’s something we need to address,” he added.
Arsenal’s Title Hopes Fade as Arteta Storms Out of Interview
The draw has further dented Arsenal’s title ambitions, with analysts now writing off their chances of catching Liverpool. Inconsistency in front of goal has been a recurring issue for the Gunners, and their failure to sign a top-class striker in the January transfer window is seen as a critical factor in their struggles.
When questioned about the title race after the match, Arteta chose not to respond and stormed out of the interview, signaling his growing frustration.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Arsenal?
As the season nears its end, Arsenal’s focus will likely shift to the summer transfer window. Securing a proven goal scorer could be the missing piece needed to transform the team into genuine title contenders. For now, Arteta and his squad must regroup and address their shortcomings to finish the campaign on a positive note.
