Being the crew to beat is weighing on scarred Arsenal: ISAAN KHAN on how Mikel Arteta can show a collapse is not coming – and the issue he has in assault

Premier League leaders Arsenal dropped factors for a 3rd successive match on Sunday as Michael Carrick’s Manchester United triumphed with a surprising 3-2 win on the Emirates.

With Arsenal’s hole on the prime lower to simply 4 factors following Manchester Metropolis’s victory over Wolves, the stress is mounting on Mikel Arteta’s aspect after such a convincing begin to the season.

Each day Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN assesses how Sunday’s defeat will impression the Gunners of their title pursuit.

Main the pack is taking its toll 

Arsenal and stress are like oil and water, some observes would argue, two components which simply don’t combine.

On the proof thus far this month, the heaviness of being the crew to beat is slowly seeping into the north London membership — each on and off the pitch.

To guide the Premier League desk by 4 factors however nonetheless have boos ringing across the Emirates at half-time displays a scarring from the previous three seasons which solely main silverware will erase.

The Gunners dropped factors as soon as once more as Manchester United triumphed 3-2 on the Emirates

The disquiet was much more weird due to the Gunners’ unbeaten run at house on this marketing campaign throughout 16 matches; many a crew would kill for such a document.

Sunday’s defeat doesn’t essentially precipitate a collapse on the horizon, however an necessary few weeks forward for Mikel Arteta to show simply why the Gunners are primed to win the Premier League title this season.

Having plodded by way of goalless attracts towards Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, a return to profitable methods within the league was a should for Arteta.

Significantly towards a Manchester United aspect which has endured their fair proportion of adversity this season, however having fun with the new-manager bounce of Michael Carrick. They had been there for the taking within the first half, the Gunners on prime and searching sturdy.

Senne Lammens pulled off a formidable save to disclaim Martin Zubimendi’s header, but even at that time, extra possibilities for a aim rush felt impending.

However it was the Zubimendi mistake for Bryan Mbeumo’s aim which epitomised that notion of Arsenal being vulnerable to errors when the stress is on, and opened the door for Man United.

It was an terrible again cross, out of character even, for a participant who has had a wonderful season thus far at Arsenal.

Arteta stated: ‘There have been three or 4 (errors), to be honest, that had been very uncommon immediately within the sport, and they’re a part of soccer.

The subsequent few weeks are necessary for Mikel Arteta to show simply why the Gunners are primed to win the Premier League title this season, after a disappointing run of outcomes

Title rivals Manchester Metropolis are sizzling on their tails and have gotten over the road on many event

‘Typically you get punished and typically not, and immediately we bought punished. Other than that, we’ve to offer credit score to the opponent for what they’ve accomplished and within the method that they managed to win the sport.’

Moments corresponding to these don’t quell that feeling of the stress constructing round a crew who’ve nice squad depth, although have now gone three league matches with out a win.

That’s not adequate as Manchester Metropolis traditionally solely want a sniff to wedge themselves again right into a title race.

It makes their league match towards Leeds at Elland Highway subsequent weekend surprisingly really feel like a crunch sport, though it’s January.

Defeat would open the door for Man Metropolis to chop the hole to only a single level, whereas a win towards Carrick’s males on Sunday would have widened the crack to seven going into that sport. That is how superb the margins are. 

Now’s the time for Arsenal to actually step up.

Arsenal’s striker conundrum rumbles on

After two well-taken objectives midweek within the Champions League towards Inter Milan, Gabriel Jesus was given a primary league begin since January 4, 2025.

He confirmed indicators of link-up play and a will to stretch the Man United backline along with his runs ahead — however not sufficient to stake a declare because the Gunners’ beginning No9 proper now.

Gabriel Jesus was given a primary league begin since January 4, 2025 however did not make an impression

Viktor Gyokeres missed an excellent probability within the closing levels after approaching as an alternative

The striker spot is there for the taking, so who will step up?

Viktor Gyokeres got here on after 58 minutes and put in a shift as common, however was extensively mocked when his effort in harm time went for a throw-in.

The Swede hasn’t proven sufficient to date to be the principle man.

The scenario is sophisticated due to the circumstances round Kai Havertz, who would in any other case fill the void. As Each day Mail Sport reported on Thursday, his minutes are being fastidiously managed due to a flare as much as his knee in latest weeks.

Tellingly, he didn’t make the squad on Sunday.

Substitute Mikel Merino scored Arsenal’s second with a scrappy effort and, though not a pure ahead, did look a menace at occasions.

Ought to Arteta flip to him within the coming weeks? It could possibly be an choice — if neither Jesus or Gyokeres do sufficient to say the No9 jersey.