Arsenal’s Premier League title bid took another huge blow on Sunday as they were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw against a struggling Manchester United side, with the Gunners now 15 points behind their rivals
Arsenal’s hunt for the Premier League crown looks to be all but finished after they drew 1-1 against Manchester United on Sunday as Liverpool close in on the title.
United were the better team at Old Trafford after taking the lead through Bruno Fernandes’ free kick – and could have won the game in the dying stages after Declan Rice’s thumping effort had got the Gunners level.
Ultimately, the Premier League race appears to be over after Arsenal’s inconsistency, coupled with a crippling injury crisis and the Champions League is now their only realistic chance of silverware, with Mikel Arteta now gearing up for a second leg against PSV on Wednesday in which they lead 7-1 on aggregate.
Mirror Football has rounded up some of the biggest news and rumours in the aftermath of the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Keane says Arsenal lack “swagger”
Roy Keane is usually heard laying into Manchester United on Super Sunday, but after his old side produced a positive performance at Old Trafford, he turned his attentions to Arsenal.
Keane dismissed the team’s performance in midweek against PSV, where they hit seven, and said they had “no swagger” against United.
The Irishman criticised Arsenal’s desire to win and insisted Ruben Amorim’s side were “there for the taking” – suggesting that the Gunners might have a mentality issue.
“They scored seven during the week but they didn’t look like they had any swagger about them today,” he began.
“They had bits of possession but, if anything, you thought that United are probably going to win it and United have been dreadful all season. I would be looking at Arsenal’s mentality and their swagger and going: ‘Where was it?’
“You are coming to United, you must smell that United are here for the taking. United were sitting and hoping to get something on the counter attack but Arsenal did not show… they weren’t streetwise.
“I am not seeing an Arsenal team turning up today and thinking: ‘I tell you what, they were machine-like, they knew United were there for the taking’. They were not even ready to take that step.
“Forget Liverpool, be more worried about the teams that are coming up behind you. I was not happy with their mindset.
Arteta storms out
This result appeared to really irk Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after suggestions the team’s title race was run.
From the second he stepped into his post-match interview with Sky Sports, he seemed on edge and it showed towards the end when he was quizzed about Arsenal’s failure to sign a new striker in January.
We know the Spaniard has spoken at length about his frustration about the lack of activity before Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz were ruled out for the season, leaving him without a recognisable No 9 for the remainder of the season.
Sky Sports reporter Patrick Davison asked Arteta if he could excuse the players for failing to beat an under-par United side amid their injury crisis.
A visibly irritated Arteta replied: “I will defend my players all the time because the will to win, there is no question about that. But in those moments, we have to be better as a team. That’s it.”
Davison asked about Arsenal not signing a new forward and if Arteta had any regrets. Arteta hit back: “No, no. It’s not about that,” before attempting to walk out of the interview.
The reporter then tried to stop Arteta from storming off as he said: “Mikel – one more? I have to ask you about the title race because it’s 15 points now. Is that too much?” Arteta refused to answer and instead brushed past Davison to end the interview abruptly.
Nwaneri claim
One of the shining lights for Arsenal amid their difficult recent run and injuries has been teenager Ethan Nwaneri.
The 17-year-old has benefited from the huge amount of absences in the squad after scoring eight goals from 28 appearances in all competitions.
Nwaneri has dazzled on the right flank for Arsenal, often going past players, causing havoc in defensive boxes and creating a huge amount of chances for his team-mates – but mostly importantly scoring goals.
And former Arsenal star Jay Bothroyd – who also came through the ranks at the north London club – believes the teenager is a bigger threat in the front three than captain Martin Odegaard.
However, he urged Arteta to start playing Odegaard in the attacking three on the opposite flank to Nwaneri, with Declan Rice then dropping deeper.
“Nwaneri, I need to give this guy props because everyone has spoken about him from a young age,” he told Sky Sports News. “I am saying right now that Nwaneri, on the right side of that three, is better than Odegaard.
“Yes, Odegaard has the experience, but that is all he has over Nwaneri. Nwaneri glides past players; his spatial awareness is serious. He has a football IQ; he is more of a goal threat than Odegaard.
“I would like to see Odegaard on the left side of the three. Put Declan Rice back in that defensive midfield position where he had a great season last year and move forward like that.”
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