Arsenal’s credentials in the Premier League title race have been questioned by their former captain Patrick Vieira, following a stunning 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United. The loss, sealed by a late Matheus Cunha winner, has reduced the Gunners' lead at the top to four points after a three-game winless run.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Vieira pointed directly to the team’s mental fortitude as a concern. “They are still four points clear, but there are still questions about the mental strength of the team,” Vieira said. “It's not just that they lost the game, it's the way they lost the game.”
The French legend criticized the performance of key attackers and highlighted a lack of leadership on the pitch. “(Bukayo) Saka and (Leandro) Trossard didn't produce enough to worry United. They need a leader to lift the spirit of the team,” he stated. Vieira urged the side to “play with more energy and more risks” and to rediscover their freedom of expression.
When asked about Vieira’s comments, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta accepted the criticism but offered a different perspective. “That's fine, we accept every opinion... At the end we have to show the mental strength that we have on the pitch,” Arteta responded. He attributed the loss more to technical errors than mentality, stating, “We were poor, especially technically in certain aspects of the game against a team that, when you make those mistakes, they can punish you big time.”
The defeat leaves Arsenal in a precarious position, with their momentum halted and rivals gaining ground as the title race enters its critical phase.
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