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Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson believes Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s position will come under scrutiny following the Gunners’ 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The loss reduced Arsenal’s Premier League lead to just three points, with City also holding a game in hand that could see them return to the top of the table for the first time since mid-August.
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Erling Haaland’s goal 20 minutes from time proved decisive after Kai Havertz had cancelled out Rayan Cherki’s opener for City. The German striker missed a crucial late chance, steering his header over the bar when well-placed.
Pressure mounting on Arteta
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Speaking to Bet St George, Robson suggested the Arsenal hierarchy may reassess Arteta’s position given the club’s recent investment and continued wait for Premier League glory.
“The way that Arsenal built the squad at the start of the season, spending quite a bit of money, and then with the good young players who’ve been coming through, you don’t know what the hierarchy at Arsenal are thinking,” [Robson told Bet St George](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arsenal-mikel-arteta-manager-latest-33800142).
“But Mikel Arteta will come under a bit of pressure because it’s quite a long time since they won the league title. I would have thought if he doesn’t win anything this year, then a bit of pressure would come onto him.”
Arsenal have now been title challengers in each of the last three seasons but have twice surrendered leads at the summit. The north London side’s wait to return to the top of English football now extends beyond 20 years.
Quadruple dreams fading
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The defeat represents a significant blow to Arsenal’s ambitions, with the club having harboured realistic hopes of achieving the quadruple just weeks ago. Arteta’s trophy cabinet currently contains just one FA Cup from 2019, alongside Community Shield successes in 2020 and 2023.
City will move to the Premier League summit if they defeat Burnley on Wednesday, adding further pressure on the Gunners with five matches remaining.
Despite the setback, Arteta remained defiant in his post-match assessment. “I believe today, I believe on Wednesday a week ago, because I see them every day and I know the level that we have,” the Spanish coach said.
“We have three points of advantage and five games to play. So everything is still to play for. We know how much we want it and we’re not going to stop and we’re going to go again, that’s for sure.”
Arsenal must now regroup quickly to avoid another late-season collapse that would extend their title drought and potentially place Arteta’s future under serious consideration.