Mikel Arteta Rues Missed Chances as Arsenal Settle for 1-1 Draw with Manchester United

Mikel Arteta was left frustrated after Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Manchester United, a result that has all but ended their Premier League title ambitions.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was visibly frustrated after his team settled for a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, a result that has likely dashed their Premier League title hopes. With 10 matches remaining, Arsenal trail leaders Liverpool by a substantial 15 points, although they do have a game in hand.

💬 "After the result that we got there, now we have to capitalise on that result with our people, and put on another big performance and win the game."

Mikel Arteta is keen for us to turn our attentions to PSV following today's result with Manchester United 👇

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 9, 2025

Arteta's anger was palpable as he stomped away from a post-match television interview. He lamented the fact that Declan Rice's second-half strike was Arsenal's only goal against a struggling Manchester United side that currently sits 14th in the table. “Very frustrating we haven't won with the dominance and the chances we had in the first half. We gave the ball away out of nothing. Gave a foul away. We had them in the second half, you could feel they were really fatigued,” Arteta said.

Arteta expressed his disappointment at Arsenal's inability to capitalize on their dominance and create more scoring opportunities. “It was the threat in the final 25 metres to make something happen. They didn't want to play. You come here and you want to win the game. Today, it is frustration,” he emphasized, highlighting the team's missed chances and lack of urgency in the final third.

Honours even in the north west.

All the key moments from this afternoon's 1-1 draw with Manchester United 📺 pic.twitter.com/pvchJkcTnp

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 9, 2025

Critics were quick to declare that Arsenal's draw against Manchester United signaled the unofficial end of their hopes of winning their first league title since 2004. Former United captain Roy Keane shared his thoughts on Sky Sports, stating, “You've got to have cutting edge, cutting edge is very important. Forget Liverpool and we'll be alright.”

Following the match, Declan Rice and Mikel Arteta were questioned about Bruno Fernandes' goal from a free kick, which sparked controversy due to the distance of the defensive wall. Fernandes himself joked, “It helps that the wall was about 15 metres back!” However, according to the rules, the wall must be at least 10 metres back. Rice responded, “I've not seen the goal back. It felt like the ball flew over us at a low height. (The wall) did feel far back. Anthony (Taylor) is the ref, he makes that decision.”

Arteta offered a philosophical perspective on the situation, saying, “Football is for smart street players, and if (Fernandes) has done that and capitalised on that, he is more clever than us and the referee. It was a goal, so they took advantage of that. Football is for clever people.”