Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will come under pressure after defeat to Man City, according to Bryan Robson. (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United legend Bryan Robson believes Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is facing mounting pressure on his position following their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City. The Gunners’ advantage at the top of the Premier League was cut to just three points, with City also holding a game in hand, as their barren domestic run continued.
Erling Haaland proved a persistent menace for the north London outfit, his goal 20 minutes from time securing a vital three points in the top-of-the-table clash. Kai Havertz levelled shortly after Rayan Cherki’s opener at the Etihad Stadium, with the German squandering a golden chance late on as he could only divert his header over the bar.
The defeat means Arsenal’s advantage at the top has been whittled down to just three points, and a victory for City at Burnley on Wednesday would see Pep Guardiola’s side return to the summit for the first time since mid-August.
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Weighing in on Arteta’s future, former Premier League manager Robson, who had stints in charge of Middlesbrough and West Brom, told Bet St George: “The way that Arsenal built the squad at the start of the season, spending quite a bit of money, and then with the good young players who’ve been coming through, you don’t know what the hierarchy at Arsenal are thinking.
“But Mikel Arteta will come under a bit of pressure because it’s quite a long time since they won the league title.
“I would have thought if he doesn’t win anything this year, then a bit of pressure would come onto him.”
In each of the past three seasons, Arsenal have been genuine contenders for the Premier League title. Yet in two of those campaigns, the Gunners have thrown away their advantage at the top.
Three years on from their title race collapse, Arsenal must rediscover their form and hope City slip up if they are to prevent history from repeating itself.
Bryan Robson gave his verdict on Mikel Arteta’s future. (Image: Getty Images)
Pressure will start to build on Arteta should the Gunners fail to get over the line, having occupied pole position for the majority of the season.
It would be inconceivable for Arsenal to finish this campaign empty-handed, having considered the quadruple a very real possibility just a matter of weeks ago.
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The sole piece of silverware the Spaniard has to his name is the FA Cup, following their victory in 2019, along with Community Shield wins in 2020 and 2023.
Despite the setback, Arteta remained resolute when speaking after the defeat to City. He said: “I believe today, I believe on Wednesday a week ago, because I see them every day and I know the level that we have.
“But today, if they need to be more convinced, I think they are now more convinced. They were talking about it in the dressing room. It’s a new league now. They were a game in hand.
“We have three points of advantage and five games to play. So everything is still to play for.
“So we know how much we want it and we’re not going to stop and we’re going to go again, that’s for sure.”