Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, clearly frustrated, refused to give up on the Premier League title despite a 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Sunday, which left his side 15 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
The draw marked Arsenal’s third consecutive match without a win, following a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham and a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest, adding to a difficult run for the Gunners on a day when Old Trafford also saw protests.
Though Arsenal controlled much of the first half, they were punished for their lack of cutting edge when Bruno Fernandes scored a stoppage-time free-kick. Declan Rice’s second-half goal and some key saves from David Raya salvaged a point for Arsenal, but the result does little to slow Liverpool’s title charge.
Speaking after the match, Arteta admitted, “Our efficiency in the final third wasn’t good enough. We did a lot of things very well, especially given how tough it is to play here, but if you dominate like we did, you have to make it count. We didn’t.”
Arteta also reflected on the challenge of trying to turn the game around: “When you’re behind here, it’s very difficult. You have to take risks, and then the game can go either way in the final minutes.”
Pressed in his post-match press conference on whether Arsenal’s title hopes are over—after walking out of a Sky Sports interview when asked the same—Arteta responded, “I don’t want to say that. The frustration today is about not winning. We know we must win every game to have a chance, but this isn’t the moment to speak about the title.”
Arteta also questioned the legitimacy of Fernandes’ goal, suggesting the free-kick may have been taken from the wrong spot: “Football is for clever players. If Bruno saw something and took advantage, then he was smarter than us and the referee. But it counted, so credit to them.”
Arsenal now look ahead to their game in hand against fourth-placed Chelsea on Sunday, which could reduce the gap to Liverpool to 12 points. Meanwhile, Liverpool will target their first trophy of the season as they face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley the same day.
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