Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta finds himself under increasing pressure after his team’s latest setback in the Premier League title race.
Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford has further dented the Gunners’ hopes of winning their first league title in two decades, with Liverpool now opening up a commanding 15-point gap at the top of the table.
Declan Rice’s second-half goal salvaged a point for Arsenal after Bruno Fernandes had put United ahead late in the first half. However, a draw was not the result Arsenal needed, given the high stakes in the title race and the dwindling number of games left in the season.
Arteta’s frustration was evident in his post-match interviews, where he expressed his disappointment at his team’s inability to capitalize on their dominance.
“To come to Old Trafford and do what we did is superb, but you have to capitalize, and we didn’t,” he said. “We then had to try to overturn the result after going behind, and you know how difficult that is here.”
With Arsenal now facing the likelihood of finishing another season without a league title, emotions boiled over for the Spanish manager. He abruptly walked out of an interview with Sky Sports, highlighting the pressure mounting on him after two previous near-misses to Manchester City in the past two seasons.
Despite their fading title ambitions, Arsenal’s season is far from over. Their focus now shifts to the Champions League, where they hold a commanding 7-1 aggregate lead over PSV ahead of their round-of-16 second-leg clash at the Emirates.
With Arsenal almost assured of a quarterfinal spot, the competition now represents Arteta’s best chance at securing a major trophy this season. Having won the FA Cup in his debut season in 2020, he will be eager to deliver European success to silence his critics and bring silverware to the club.
For Arsenal fans, frustration is growing as another Premier League title appears to be slipping away. After coming so close in the last two seasons, expectations were high that this would finally be their year. However, inconsistency in crucial moments has once again proved costly.
Arteta will need to rally his squad quickly, ensuring they remain competitive in the Champions League and secure a strong finish in the league. While the Premier League title now seems out of reach, a deep run in Europe could provide a much-needed boost and restore belief among fans and players alike.
