Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stormed out of a post-match interview after his side’s frustrating 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The result saw Arsenal lose further ground in the Premier League title race, leaving them 15 points behind leaders Liverpool. Arteta, who appeared visibly irritated during the interview, was pressed about his team’s performance, their defensive errors, and the club’s decision not to sign a striker in January.
Arsenal Lose Crucial Points in Title Race
The Gunners came into the game on the back of a resounding 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, hoping to carry their momentum into the Premier League. However, they struggled to break down a weakened Manchester United side that has been dealing with an injury crisis.
Despite their dominance in possession, Arsenal found themselves trailing in the first half when Bruno Fernandes curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner. Declan Rice managed to rescue a point for the visitors with a well-taken goal in the second half, but the draw felt like a missed opportunity, especially with Liverpool continuing their march towards the title.
The key moments from Man Utd and Arsenal’s pulsating 1-1 draw pic.twitter.com/UaFZ8J2k55
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 9, 2025
Arteta’s Frustration Boils Over
Arteta’s irritation was evident in his post-match interview, where he was asked about his team’s defensive setup before Fernandes’ free-kick. When questioned about Arsenal’s failure to capitalize on United’s struggles, he defended his players.
“I will defend my players all the time because the will to win is unquestionable,” Arteta stated. “But in those moments, we have to be better as a team. That’s it.”
When Sky Sports reporter Patrick Davison brought up Arsenal’s decision not to sign a forward in the January transfer window, Arteta abruptly responded, “No, no. It’s not about that,” before attempting to walk away.
As Davison tried to ask one final question about the title race, Arteta refused to answer and left the interview, highlighting his growing frustration with Arsenal’s struggles to keep pace with Liverpool.
Arsenal’s Title Hopes Fading
The result against Manchester United leaves Arsenal with an uphill battle if they are to challenge for the Premier League title. With nine games remaining, they would need to win all of them while hoping Liverpool suffer multiple defeats—an extremely unlikely scenario given the Reds’ form.
Even Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard acknowledged the difficulty of catching Liverpool.
“We will fight until the end, but we know Liverpool are in a strong position. All we can do is keep winning and see what happens,” Ødegaard admitted.
Liverpool Closing in on the Title
Liverpool, who defeated Southampton 3-1 over the weekend, are just 16 points away from securing the title. Arne Slot’s team needs only five wins and a draw to mathematically seal the Premier League trophy, even if Arsenal win all their remaining matches.
A hard-earned point on the road, but Arsenal now sit 15 points behind leaders Liverpool pic.twitter.com/qylrljVfud
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 9, 2025
With Liverpool in dominant form and showing no signs of slowing down, Arsenal’s best chance for silverware this season now lies in the Champions League.
Arsenal’s Remaining Fixtures
March 16 – Brighton (A)
March 30 – Aston Villa (H)
April 6 – Wolverhampton (A)
April 12 – Newcastle (H)
April 21 – Chelsea (A)
April 27 – Tottenham (A)
May 3 – Bournemouth (H)
May 10 – Liverpool (A)
May 19 – Everton (H)
The upcoming fixtures include difficult games against Chelsea, Tottenham, and title rivals Liverpool. Even if Arsenal were to win all of them, they still need Liverpool to drop points significantly, which seems increasingly unlikely.
Where Did It Go Wrong for Arsenal?
Despite their strong performances in the Champions League, Arsenal’s inconsistencies in the Premier League have cost them dearly. Some key factors behind their struggles include:
- Lack of Clinical Finishing: Arsenal have struggled to convert their chances in crucial games, failing to put away teams despite dominating possession.
- Defensive Lapses: Mistakes in key moments, such as the poorly defended free-kick against United, have resulted in dropped points.
- January Transfer Window Decisions: Arsenal’s decision not to sign a striker in January has come under scrutiny, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah struggling for consistent form.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was among those who dismissed Arsenal’s title chances, not just this season but for the next campaign as well.
“Arsenal just don’t have that edge in big games. They don’t have the mentality to go and win the tough matches when it matters. That’s why Liverpool will win the league comfortably,” Keane said.
Arteta Under Pressure to Deliver Champions League Success
With the Premier League title slipping away, Arsenal’s season now hinges on their European campaign. The Gunners’ impressive 7-1 win over PSV has boosted their confidence, but they will need to navigate difficult knockout stage fixtures to challenge for the Champions League trophy.
Arteta will have to rally his squad and ensure they remain focused, especially with pressure mounting from fans and pundits. If Arsenal fail to end the season with a major trophy, questions will arise about whether Arteta is the right man to take the club forward.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
Arsenal will now turn their attention to their next league fixture against Brighton, where they must secure all three points to keep their slim title hopes alive.
However, with Liverpool in full control of the title race, Arsenal may have to shift their focus towards securing second place and making a deep run in the Champions League.
Arteta’s frustration is understandable, but unless Arsenal can produce a dramatic turnaround in the final stretch of the season, they will once again fall short in their quest for Premier League glory.
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