Arsenal and Manchester United played [out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, which all but ended the Gunners' hopes of winning the title, while for United, it took them a point closer to what remains an unlikely top-half finish](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/andrea-berta-tasked-ending-arsenal-31163844). Ruben Amorim set up in yet another low block against Arsenal and got what it appeared they came for.
Either team could have won it with the chances created in the second half, but both lacked the finishing and quality to grasp that chance. [While talk after the match focused more so on the game in isolation and the familiar problems present in the Arsenal side, there were some lingering comments from before the match between the sides from Ruben Amorim which are worthy of further discussion.](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arsenal-scapegoat-tag-returns-after-31167296)
Asked about the job that Arteta has done at Arsenal, particularly around the rebuilding of the squad, Amorim made reference to what he describes as a difference between the clubs and that he will not be afforded the time that Arteta got to build his team.
"I don't feel that," Amorim said. "Again, I will not have the time that Arteta has. I feel that. It’s a different club, so we just need to survive the players on Sunday and me during these games.
"I think it’s a different club. I think in that aspect, the way Arteta dealt with that, is an inspiration for everybody. I will not have the time like Arteta had."
Arteta took over slightly later in the season to Amorim, finished eighth but won the FA Cup and re-entered European competition. That looks incredibly unlikely for Amorim, who, so far, has not yet been able to rise above the place United were in when they parted ways with Erik ten Hag.
Arteta effectively began his time at Arsenal with some existing quality which would be outgrown and replaced and three key young players who have become central to his side's growth: Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba.
Amorim has inherited some talented young starlets too, like Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho. The summer is sure to be a period of big change, with the Portuguese coach able to sign his own stars.
But should he get the sack in the future, it will not be because Arsenal and Manchester United are different clubs – to me, it is a clear insinuation that the bar to succeed is higher at United. Who is that bar set by? The Glazers? For Arsenal, the Kroenkes?
Both sets of fans have their gripes with their ownerships but there is also a fickleness to it. In the last two seasons, the ownership were barely mentioned as the Gunners competed for the title, spending big money and breaking records when it came to goal-scoring and win totals.
After a disappointing campaign, despite still, for now, being second in the league and all but through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, ownership scrutiny is back. Whereas for Manchester United, they have not been able to hold a candle to the Gunners.
This is set to be the fifth season of the last seven where the Gunners have finished above the Red Devils. This time, it will be a gap expected to be by more than 20 points.
Every single season under Arteta, Arsenal have moved forwards either in league position (which has never regressed) or competitiveness. Eighth, eighth, fifth, second, second and potentially a third second-place in successive seasons being the highest likely to be expected of the club.
Amorim will not get the time that Arteta has, not because United are a different club with greater pressures. He will not get the time Arteta has because he would have failed to progress the side, return them to Europe, to compete for titles and trophies.
While Ten Hag won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his tenure, these felt like anomalies and not indications of growth, success and establishment. They felt like outliers.
Certainly, you would have been hard-pressed to get a fan to swap an FA Cup, but finishing eighth under Ten Hag with an Arsenal team that won 28 games and finished an agonising two points off title-winners Manchester City. At the end of the campaign were the question who is more likely to lift a title next season, the answer was unequivocally Arsenal.
Circumstances have been trying on the Gunners this season, and frankly, I agree with Arteta that it is a surprise they, for now, remain in second place. Manchester City lost Rodri, and it feels this single blow took an axe to their hopes of a title.
Arsenal’s record of losing players, particularly in the forward line and almost all at the same time, has damaged them in a way that would hurt any other team, likely in even worse ways. They have fought on and struggled as a result, and the January transfer window failure certainly escalated issues and lost faith from supporters.
But Arteta will end the season with his team again a side who next season will be expected to challenge, to fight and to finally claim a title. Amorim and United will be expected to improve, progress and maybe get back into Europe.
But the bottom line is clear. Amorim will not get the time Arteta has if he fails to earn it, like Arteta did. Period.