Mikel Arteta gave a telling response to a press conference question about the title race after his Arsenal side dropped crucial points in their clash against Manchester United.
With 10 games of their league season remaining, the Gunners sit 15 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool following a far-from-convincing 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Declan Rice managed to cancel out Bruno Fernandes’ opener with a superb effort in the 74th minute but after enjoying early dominance, they struggled in the latter stages and could have easily came away with nothing.
Speaking in his post-match chat with Sky Sports, a clearly agitated Mikel Arteta started the interview by ruing missed chances.
“When we had the first half that we had where we were exceptional, we didn’t test the keeper,” he said. “We had some unbelievable situations, but we didn’t get the last shot or the last pass. We didn’t capitalise, we rushed the game.”
Arteta would eventually walk out of the interview with Patrick Davison after being asked about Arsenal‘s fading title hopes.
But later on – in his post-match press conference – the Spaniard was once again prodded for his take on the title race by a reporter, who asked: “I know you’ll always fight to the end but deep down, do you feel the title race is over?”
On this occasion, Arteta responded with a telling answer.
“I don’t want to say that but today the frustration is that we haven’t won our game,” he said. “We know the urgency and you’re obligated to win every single match. You won’t have any chance without doing that. I don’t think it’s the right moment to talk about that.”
Arteta also discussed one of the big talking points from Sunday’s game – Arsenal’s wall for Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick.
After the Portuguese midfielder converted from range, broadcast technology found referee Anthony Taylor had instructed the Arsenal defensive line 11.2 yards back, which was further than the minimum 10 yards required.
“He’s been smart and he took advantage, that is football,” Arteta said. “He’s been smarter than the ref. That’s OK, they allowed him to do it.”
Christian Eriksen would later explain how 1.2 yards can be crucial when it comes to taking free-kicks.
“It makes a very big difference,” he told Sky Sports. “When the ball is over the wall you don’t need to hit it as high – going down to statistics and how far they are back and how many metres and how they jump. So it’s easier and it gives Bruno a bit more space to put it over the wall.
“It was very good. It helped that the wall was about 15 metres away, so it was perfect for him to put it over.”
