Arsenal’s Premier League dreams took a severe blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Manchester United, leaving the Gunners trailing league leaders Liverpool by 15 points with just 10 matches to go.
The frustrating result led Mikel Arteta to an emotionally charged post-game exit, where he declared, “Football is for clever people,” highlighting his team’s missed opportunities and tactical challenges.
While Declan Rice’s second-half goal salvaged a point for Arsenal, Arteta criticized both the team’s execution in the final third and their inability to capitalize on a fatigued United side languishing in 14th place.
Arteta admitted their frustration: “We dominated the first half but couldn’t make the breakthrough.”
A controversial free kick from Bruno Fernandes, where Arsenal players questioned the placement of the wall, added to the tension.
Arteta acknowledged Fernandes’ shrewdness, saying, “If he capitalized on that, then he’s more clever than us.”
Critics have been quick to suggest that the draw might mark the end of Arsenal’s pursuit of their first league title since 2004, further fueling the debate over the team’s readiness to compete at the highest level.
