Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes suffered a major setback as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, leaving them 15 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal, now with just one game in hand, are shifting their focus towards securing a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League, as their bid for a first league title in 21 years continues to fade.
Bruno Fernandes’ stunning free-kick in first-half stoppage time gave United the lead, but Declan Rice equalised for Arsenal in the 74th minute, sweeping home a shot from Jurrien Timber’s pass.
Despite United’s struggle for consistency under manager Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils’ performance ensured they held on for a point.
United now sit 14th in the table, a disappointing position for a club with ambitions of competing for European places.
Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta, taking charge of his 200th Premier League match, has overseen a remarkable run of 118 league wins, placing him among the top managers in the competition’s history.
However, his wait for a Premier League title looks set to extend into a third consecutive second-place finish.
Despite missing key attackers, including Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal bounced back from a disappointing run of form to deliver a dominant 7-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League earlier this week.
Yet the absence of a natural centre-forward was evident again, with midfielder Mikel Merino failing to convert an early chance.
Fernandes’ exceptional free-kick seemed to have put United in control, but Arsenal rallied in the second half. Though David Raya was questioned for his positioning during Fernandes’ strike, the goalkeeper made crucial saves to keep Arsenal in the game, including stops to deny Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee.
Arsenal’s equaliser came through Rice, who drilled a powerful shot past Andre Onana to level the score. Rasmus Hojlund, dropped to the bench by Amorim after a lengthy goal drought, came close to breaking his streak, but his attempts were thwarted by last-ditch Arsenal defending.
With the match nearing its end, Raya again came to Arsenal’s rescue, denying Fernandes a last-minute winner.
However, the draw has left Arsenal with little hope of catching Liverpool at the top, as Arteta’s men now turn their attention to securing Champions League qualification.
With four points separating them from third-placed Nottingham Forest and eight points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester City, Arsenal’s focus will now shift to securing a top-four finish in the league.
