We may never know if Mikel Arteta has now conceded Arsenal’s chances at winning the Premier League title.
That’s because the Gunners boss made a noticeably early exit from an interview when asked if his side were too far behind leaders Liverpool following Arsenal‘s draw at Manchester United.
SkyAnd wasn’t willing to talk about it post-match[/caption]
Arteta saw his side claim a point at Old Trafford as Declan Rice‘s sumptuous strike cancelled out Bruno Fernandes‘ sublime opener.
A point wasn’t enough, though, with leaders Liverpool now 15 ahead, despite playing a game more.
Following the game, Arteta tried to leave his post-match Sky Sports interview with Patrick Davison having just been non-committal when asked if Arsenal’s shortcomings in the title race were down to their lack of options up front.
Davison made sure to remind Arteta he hadn’t yet fulfilled his duties.
“Mikel, one more,” he said as the Spaniard tried to dart away.
“I have to ask you about the title race because it’s 15 points now, is it too much?”
Arteta replied: “Alright, thank you,” before departing the scene.
With Arsenal second in the table, four points ahead of Nottingham Forest, questions about the title race have obviously fallen at Arteta’s door.
The Gunners lost 1-0 to West Ham on February 22 as Liverpool went 11 clear, and on that occasion Arteta had a convincing answer.
“Over my dead body. If not I will go home,” he said when asked the same question.
“Mathematically it is possible. Three days ago we could close a gap and you are like ‘you are one and a half games away’.
“The difficulty is higher than three days ago but if you are going to win the Premier League you have to do something special.
“If you are going to win the Premier League with the circumstances we have you will probably have to do something that nobody else has done in the history of the Premier League.”
Since then Arsenal have drawn to Forest and United, while Arne Slot’s leaders have won three on the bounce.
Questions over the north London side’s transfer activity have been rife in recent weeks since Kai Havertz left them strikerless following an injury against Manchester City on February 2.
He joined Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka in the treatment room, while Arteta has shown he’s no willing to rely on Raheem Sterling, instead playing midfielder Mikel Merino up front.
Should this season pan-out how the current standings suggest, it would be Arsenal’s third runners-up finish in a row, having finished behind City by five points and then two points.
