Arsenal remain four points clear at the top of the Premier League, but nerves are creeping in for the Gunners. Only eight days after missing the chance to extend their lead over Manchester City to nine points, they drew 0-0 at Nottingham Forest and then lost 3-2 to Manchester United. That first home defeat of the season leaves Arsenal without a win in three league games.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane told Sky Sports that Arsenal are under pressure. “They’ll have seen the other results, they’re in a great position, they’ve got everything going for them… but it’s pressure,” he said. “They’re feeling the pressure and it’s how they deal with it over the next month or two. That’s cost them in previous seasons. They must get back to basics and embrace this challenge instead of fearing it.”
Despite the wobble, Arsenal have finished runners-up in each of the past three seasons. Being top of the table, with everything in their hands, is a familiar position. A brief setback does not necessarily signal a collapse.
Arsenal’s stats underline their dominance
Arsenal have impressed this season across all competitions. They top the Premier League, maintain a perfect record in the Champions League, lead Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, and remain in the FA Cup. All four trophies are still within reach.
Opta gives Arsenal an 84.44% chance of winning the Premier League, with Manchester City on 8.38% and Aston Villa on 7.09%. No other club has more than a 1% chance. Arsenal’s advantage reflects both their consistency and the inconsistency of their rivals. Despite losing one and drawing two of their last three league games, Arsenal hold the second-best points-per-game ratio among the top six, with Manchester United ahead.
Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures also favor them, with just two games remaining against current top-six teams. On paper, they have the easiest schedule among the leading clubs.
Key fixtures left:
- Arsenal: Chelsea (H, 1 March), Man City (A, 18 April)
- Man City: Liverpool (A, 8 Feb), Chelsea (A, 11 April), Arsenal (H, 18 April), Aston Villa (H, 24 May)
- Aston Villa: Chelsea (H, 4 March), Man Utd (A, 14 March), Liverpool (H, 17 May), Man City (A, 24 May)
- Man Utd: Aston Villa (H, 14 March), Chelsea (A, 18 April), Liverpool (H, 2 May)
- Chelsea: Arsenal (A, 1 March), Aston Villa (A, 4 March), Man City (H, 11 April), Man Utd (H, 18 April), Liverpool (A, 9 May)
- Liverpool: Man City (H, 8 Feb), Man Utd (A, 2 May), Chelsea (H, 9 May), Aston Villa (A, 17 May)
Arsenal’s 50 points after 23 games remain below the average title-winning total of 55 points. Only Leicester City in 2015-16 had fewer points at the same stage since Arsenal last won the league 22 years ago. In previous seasons, a wobble like this could have been damaging. This year, it seems far less threatening.
Arteta calls for more intensity
Before the match, Mikel Arteta asked the crowd to generate energy and positivity, but the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium turned tense as Arsenal chased the game. Boos greeted the final whistle, though Arteta attributed them to the high expectations of fans. “It’s part of the journey to winning,” he said. “If not, nobody would ever lose matches. We must react, and I am convinced we will, because I know the players and how much we want it.”
Arteta tried a quadruple substitution when Arsenal trailed 2-1. Despite drawing level, Matheus Cunha’s late strike sealed victory for Manchester United. Arteta remained focused on the team’s effort, saying, “We have to do more. Today we tried our best, but we weren’t efficient enough against a well-organized team. We got punished for our mistakes.”
Still in Arsenal’s hands, but a sobering day
Arsenal have already secured a top-two finish in the Champions League and face bottom-of-the-table Kairat on Wednesday, giving Arteta a chance to rotate his squad before Saturday’s league game at Leeds. Former England captain Wayne Rooney noted that Arsenal remain favourites but added concern over the past three results. “They’re still probably slight favourites, but these results will worry Arteta,” he said.
One area of concern is the lack of a consistent goalscorer. Many attackers struggle to find the net:
- Bukayo Saka: 0 goals in last 13 matches
- Viktor Gyokeres: 0 non-penalty goals in last 11 Premier League games
- Gabriel Martinelli: 0 goals in last 13 Premier League matches
- Nono Madueke: 0 goals in last 25 matches
- Leandro Trossard: 1 goal in last 11 matches
Gary Neville described the match as “incredible but sobering” for Arsenal. “They need to regroup, reset, and rethink. The four-point lead remains, and there is still a long way to go, but questions will follow this result.”
