Arsenal were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium this weekend - with Gary Neville urging Mikel Arteta's side to 'make sure' they beat Leeds United.
Bruna Reis and Isaac Seelochan Senior Sports Journalist
15:45, 26 Jan 2026
Mikel Arteta reacts on the touchline.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta saw his side lose 3-2 to Man Utd this weekend.(Image: 2026 Marc Atkins Getty)
Gary Neville has called on Arsenal to buckle down and concentrate on beating Leeds United to prevent what he describes as a 'dressing room disease' - and the unavoidable scrutiny that comes with it. Mikel Arteta's squad suffered a 3-2 defeat to Leeds' arch rivals Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, squandering an opportunity to strengthen their hold on the title.
Lisandro Martinez presented the Gunners with their opener - as an own goal - but Bryan Mbeumo equalised eight minutes later. Patrick Dorgu then unleashed an unstoppable effort shortly after the interval, before substitute Mikel Merino levelled at 2-2 with six minutes left on the clock.
Nevertheless, Matheus Cunha found the net just three minutes later to secure all three points for United. Arsenal now sit four points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa in second and third positions, respectively.
Arteta's squad now encounter a challenging trip to Elland Road to face Leeds on Saturday (3pm). The Whites, of course, face a trip to Everton on Monday before that clash against Arsenal this weekend.
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And Neville has already set out what he believes the Gunners must accomplish before that match against Daniel Farke's side. Speaking on his 'The Gary Neville podcast', the ex-Man Utd man said: "What they can't afford to do is go to Leeds and get beat up - lose there and all of a sudden at one point.
"Then all of a sudden, there will be questions asked, there will be people saying; 'Oh'. I mean, I walked up the stairs today here with Arsenal and I think Patrick Vieira in the studio before the game said; 'Now or never' and there was a similar feeling from Arsenal fans walking up.
"They were like; 'If we don't win it this season, we'll never win' - it was that type, you feel that and it's not putting pressure on Arsenal, it's how everybody feels, that's a good thing. That's because they feel they're the best team in the league, and the other teams around them are really struggling, so they've got to get over that feeling that everybody, you know, don't go paranoid or insecure tonight, thinking that everybody's piling pressure on you, no.
Gary Neville speaks
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Gary Neville has concerns for Arsenal before they face Leeds United(Image: Sky Sports)
"Everyone's going to be asking the question - because that's the question that will get asked until you go and win the league. And those questions are going to come thick and fast, so get ready for Leeds next Saturday, make sure your heads are right, make sure you get back to clean sheets, go win the game - be solid.
"Do what you do, or else you're going to get more questions. Nip that in the bud, root it out inside a few days and don't let that disease that might just enter your dressing room grow, which it can grow if you get a few bad results. The disease of negativity and sort of the questions being asked.
"Are they going to be able to do it? Can they ever do it? Will Arteta ever win a title? Will this team ever win a title? All that sort of stuff. Their midweek game in the Champions League, they've done their job in that already.
"They need to concentrate on next weekend and make sure they're right for that match because Elland Road is a tough place to go."
Neville added: "They have to find out very quickly where that [an anxious look while playing] comes from and root it out. Mikel Arteta will probably change the team dramatically in the midweek, but I think he needs to concentrate wholly on going to Leeds United next weekend and get a win.
"Put anything to bed this was just a blip today [Sunday]. This is just sort of a one-off. You have to win the game in midweek, as well, but they've got enough good players to be able to do that - Leeds becomes very big for them."
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