Mikel Arteta refused to entertain questions about Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes following their 1-1 draw against Manchester United. Declan Rice’s 74th-minute equalizer salvaged a point after Bruno Fernandes put United ahead with a stunning free kick just before halftime.
Arsenal have now won just one of their last four games, struggling to find attacking fluency. Gabriel Martinelli made a second-half return, but with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Bukayo Saka absent, options in the final third remain limited.
Saka is expected to return before the end of the month, but Arteta dismissed the idea that Arsenal’s recent goal struggles stem from their failure to sign a forward in January. He cut the discussion short, stating, “It’s not about that.”
The Gunners now sit 15 points behind Liverpool, and with their form dipping, the focus has shifted from a title race to securing a top-four finish. Arteta abruptly exited his post-match interview when asked if the gap to Liverpool was too large to close.
His reaction raised eyebrows, with Gary Neville suggesting that the Arsenal manager’s frustration could be linked to the club’s lack of transfer activity. Neville noted that such agitation often signals deeper concerns within a team.
Roy Keane, however, remains skeptical about Arsenal’s future success, even with potential summer signings. He questioned whether Arteta and his squad have the mentality to challenge for major silverware against strong opposition like Manchester City and Liverpool.
Keane argued that while signing a new striker could help, there is little evidence to suggest Arsenal will take the next step. He pointed out that Arteta’s visible frustration only highlights the mounting pressure on the club.
As the season nears its conclusion, Arsenal must refocus to avoid slipping further down the table. With Champions League qualification at stake, Arteta will need to find solutions quickly to steady his side’s campaign.