Concerns have been raised about the body language shown by Mikel Arteta's players following their defeat to Manchester United
Bukayo Saka looks frustrated during Arsenal's defeat to Manchester United
Bukayo Saka looked frustrated during Arsenal's defeat to Manchester United(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty)
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A former Premier League goalkeeper has expressed concerns about the body language displayed by Arsenal players during their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United. Mikel Arteta's side saw their advantage at the summit cut to four points on Sunday after they were defeated by a late Matheus Cunha goal.
Worries are now growing that the Gunners could come up short in the title race yet again after suffering their first home defeat of the season at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have appeared commanding for much of the campaign, but ex-United keeper Ben Foster believes Arteta should be troubled by the behaviour of certain squad members during the five-goal encounter.
The former England international highlighted Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice for displaying signs of negativity in recent weeks whilst also voicing his conviction that Manchester City will edge out the Gunners.
Speaking on his Fozcast podcast, Foster said: "It looked like they were melting [against Manchester United]. I think they are starting to feel the pressure and I saw a few signs in the game which I didn't like.
"[I saw] big players flinging their arms in the air because they are losing games all of a sudden. This is what happens when pressure comes. Four points is absolutely nothing. I have said multiple times this season, I still think Man City will win this league.
"I think this weekend was as bad as it gets for Arsenal. I just didn't like the body language of some of the players, not showing for some of the balls, not making themselves available.
"Then when things didn't go their way, Saka was throwing his arms up in the air. A couple of weeks ago, Declan Rice was on camera, saying, 'Oh, the same old.' And you just think, 'Don't be like this, lads.' How about you all band together?"
Declan Rice walks towards Mikel Arteta after being substituted
Declan Rice walks towards Mikel Arteta after being substituted(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Following Sunday's loss, Arteta maintained Arsenal would not lose their composure as the club chases its first Premier League crown in 22 years. His remarks came despite worries that Gunners supporters are also beginning to show signs of nervousness.
He said: "That's part of the demands and expectations that we want to win, and that's it. Individually, everybody can react in the manner that they need to.
"It (the reaction of the fans) doesn't matter; we have to do more, so maybe that's not enough. We have to do more, there's nothing else. We have to do our very best.
"When you do that, you can rest in peace. Today we really certainly tried to do our very best, but we weren't efficient enough against a team that is very well organised and we got punished because of our own mistakes as well."
Meanwhile, Gunners captain Martin Odegaard stated: "It was not good enough from us and we need some time to analyse it. We should've done better but now is the time to stick together more, keep working, push each other more and bounce back."
Arsenal's next fixture sees them welcome Kairat Almaty at home in the Champions League on Wednesday, before they resume Premier League duties with a trip to Leeds United on January 31.
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