Arsenal are now just four points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa in the title race having thrown away a lead to lose at home against Manchester United on Sunday
Mikel Arteta
Arteta has much to ponder(Image: Getty Images)
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The biggest danger to Arsenal is undoubtedly themselves. There was a nervousness and a fear in the players and the performance against Manchester United.
The only way of overcoming that anxiety is, of course, to win the title and get themselves over the line. But until that happens…
It has become a catch-22 for Mikel Arteta and his players and the fear is that if they blow it from here then it is hard to see this manager ever doing it.
The scene in the Arsenal dressing room, no matter what Arteta says, was one of players on the floor, down and in despair after that United defeat.
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It was painful, self-inflicted and so damaging because it has really knocked confidence in a team which was seven points clear at the start of the weekend.
Manchester City and Aston Villa won and applied some pressure on Arsenal… and they crumbled.
Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira had his say on Sky and spoke about the team not having enough leaders. He questioned their mental strength.
In all honesty, every member of the Invincibles team is now viewed as a leader because they won Arsenal’s last title back in 2004 and did it with such style and went unbeaten.
But how on earth do you get to that place? It is difficult to convince anyone until you get over the line. But you cannot tell me that Jurrien Timber does not have strong qualities. Nor Gabriel.
Declan Rice is the best marauding midfielder in the Premier League right now. Martin Zubimendi - yes, mistake and all - has won with Spain. Gabriel Jesus was terrible but won with Manchester City.
Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira has offered his verdict on Arsenal(Image: Sky Sports)
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Bukayo Saka wears the armband on occasion. Martin Odegaard captains both Arsenal and Norway. He leads the press in games, he is loud and demonstrative. People might not see him as a captain but he leads by example.
But all of this means nothing until they win. If they get over the line, they will grow as players and personalities. If they blow it, they will shrink and have self doubt.
If you speak to other coaches they will say Arsenal are the best coached team in the Premier League. Arteta was outwitted by United’s rookie boss Michael Carrick on Sunday and Pep Guardiola has way more experience at Manchester City.
But in the game, Arteta is revered as an outstanding coach. He also has to grow as a leader because he has to pick up the players from here after just two points from their last three games.
Where next? Leeds away. If they win there, then it’s all on again. If they slip, then it really is a crisis and it will hit hard. Then you might see a collapse. It really is that straightforward.
Manchester United's English defender #23 Luke Shaw (2nd L) grabs the arm of Arsenal's Brazilian striker #09 Gabriel Jesus (C) at the end of the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 25, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
The Gunners have lost their seven point gap at the top of the Premier League(Image: BEN STANSALL, AFP via Getty Images)
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That is where the mental strength comes in. This is a test of their mettle now and it is huge for Arsenal.
And just to complicate matters further, they have such an issue up front. Yes, they scored three goals at Inter Milan just five days earlier.
But Arsenal spent £64m on Viktor Gyokeres last summer - and have ended up looking worse up top than last season. He is not good enough while Gabriel Jesus finally started against United - and was pretty poor. Kai Havertz is still not fully fit.
It takes some doing spending so much on a striker and then looking worse as a team. But they have managed it. They often look in games short on ideas and short of goals.
People are beginning to say Arsenal would be champions by default. That is harsh on City and Aston Villa. They have been brilliant. But Arsenal do have the same opportunity as Liverpool last season when their main rivals were not at their best.
It is a huge test for Arsenal. There was a funny little picture on social media a week back. Arsenal seven points clear. Top of the Champions League table after a 100 per cent record. Fourth round of the FA Cup to come against Wigan. Ahead in their Carabao Cup semi final with Chelsea.
If they blow it from here, Arteta will be a laughing stock and never recover. That’s social media for you. And the neutrals who wanted them to win three years ago have now turned and want to see them fail.
But if they do not do it under Arteta this season from a position of real strength, well it will be ten times harder next season.
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