Arsenal Faces Setback Amidst Title Race Rivalry

omidbasir- Manchester City narrowed the gap at the top of the Premier League table with a commanding 2-0 victory over bottom-placed Wolves on Saturday. Meanwhile, Aston Villa matched City’s points tally, reaching 46 after an impressive 2-0 win against Newcastle on Sunday.

Arsenal, hoping to extend their lead to seven points, faced Manchester United in a high-stakes match on Sunday. Although they initially led due to an own goal from Lisandro Martinez, they saw United equalize through Mikel Merino. Matheus Cunha’s stunning strike in the 87th minute ultimately secured the win for United at the Emirates Stadium.

This latest result means Arsenal has now gone three Premier League matches without a win, raising concerns that they might squander their chance to clinch the title after finishing as runners-up in the last three seasons.

After the defeat, Ødegaard was asked if the club’s past struggles were affecting their current performance. He conceded that the history of previous shortcomings does play a role, stating, “Obviously it is a factor but it can be a good factor as well. I think it gives you more fuel, and more hunger and determination to get it done.”

The Arsenal captain emphasized the importance of unity as they prepare for their next match against Leeds at Elland Road. “We need to be together now, look for the next game, and bounce back,” he remarked. Despite his own challenges in recent performances after returning from injury, Ødegaard remained focused on improving the team’s situation.

Patrick Vieira, a former Arsenal midfielder and captain, questioned the players’ mental toughness following the defeat, pointing out that they need to play with more energy and freedom. He acknowledged the team’s need for a leader to lift their spirits during tough times.

In response to criticism, Ødegaard expressed confidence in the team’s potential, stating, “It is a long run and there is a long way to go. Obviously, we are very disappointed with today and we should have won this game. But that’s football; there are going to be ups and downs. Now it is about how we deal with that.”

Manager Mikel Arteta echoed the call for unity, urging his players to demonstrate mental strength in overcoming this setback. He noted that the team made several uncharacteristic mistakes that shifted the momentum of the match. “When you lose, you have to show togetherness and unity,” Arteta stressed.

The Gunners will conclude their Champions League group stage campaign against Kairat Almaty on Wednesday before heading to Leeds for their next Premier League fixture.