Arteta urges Arsenal to show Premier League title character after United defeat

Arteta urges Arsenal to show Premier League title character after United defeat

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has challenged his players to show their Premier League credentials after a 3–2 home defeat to Manchester United dented the Gunners’ title push.

Arteta’s side had the opportunity to move seven points clear at the top with victory at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

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Arsenal took the lead through a Lisandro Martínez own goal before Bryan Mbeumo drew United level late in the first half. Patrick Dorgu then put the visitors ahead after the break with a superb long-range strike, only for Mikel Merino to scramble home an equaliser in the closing stages.

However, just minutes after Merino’s goal, which came following a mistake by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha stunned the home crowd with a brilliant 25-yard strike to secure the win for Erik ten Hag’s side.

The defeat leaves Arsenal only four points clear of second-placed Manchester City and third-placed Aston Villa, who both closed the gap with victories over the weekend.

“The margins are extremely small, and we made them even smaller. Now we have to react and see what we are made of,” Arteta said.

“Today we were not at our level, and we paid the price. We just gave it away.

“We gave them a goal which is unusual and painful, and then they had two brilliant moments with incredible goals. We were not at our best.”

The defeat was Arsenal’s first in 13 matches across all competitions since they lost at Aston Villa in December, and their first home defeat in 18 games since losing to Bournemouth in May.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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