Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has raised concerns over the Gunners' mental strength in their Premier League title push following a 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United. The loss, which saw Matheus Cunha score a late winner, has left leaders Arsenal four points clear at the top of the table but with alarm bells ringing.
Vieira believes that while the team still holds an advantage over their rivals, there are questions about their mental fortitude and ability to perform under pressure. The former midfielder pointed out that it wasn't just the scoreline that was concerning but also the manner of their defeat. He claimed that players like Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard didn't produce enough to pose a threat to United.
Vieira's comments have been echoed by other pundits, including Roy Keane and Gary Neville, who have questioned Arsenal's confidence in their ability to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. Keane described the team as "frightened" and urged manager Mikel Arteta to get back to basics and focus on winning games rather than worrying about the pressure of the title race.
Meanwhile, Neville warned that Manchester City will be eager to take advantage of Arsenal's struggles and expects them to be well-prepared for their next encounter. The Manchester United legend believes that Pep Guardiola would "go for" Arsenal if he were in their shoes, highlighting the Spaniard's reputation for targeting teams on their weaker days.
The warning signs from these pundits may not come as a surprise to Arsenal fans, who have been concerned about the team's inconsistency and lack of resilience in recent weeks. However, Vieira's comments serve as a stark reminder that the Premier League is a battle-hardened league where one mistake can prove costly.
For Arteta and his players, it's now time to get back on track and focus on winning games rather than getting distracted by the pressure of the title race. The question remains: can they regain their composure and confidence in time to defend their lead?
Vieira believes that while the team still holds an advantage over their rivals, there are questions about their mental fortitude and ability to perform under pressure. The former midfielder pointed out that it wasn't just the scoreline that was concerning but also the manner of their defeat. He claimed that players like Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard didn't produce enough to pose a threat to United.
Vieira's comments have been echoed by other pundits, including Roy Keane and Gary Neville, who have questioned Arsenal's confidence in their ability to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Pep Guardiola. Keane described the team as "frightened" and urged manager Mikel Arteta to get back to basics and focus on winning games rather than worrying about the pressure of the title race.
Meanwhile, Neville warned that Manchester City will be eager to take advantage of Arsenal's struggles and expects them to be well-prepared for their next encounter. The Manchester United legend believes that Pep Guardiola would "go for" Arsenal if he were in their shoes, highlighting the Spaniard's reputation for targeting teams on their weaker days.
The warning signs from these pundits may not come as a surprise to Arsenal fans, who have been concerned about the team's inconsistency and lack of resilience in recent weeks. However, Vieira's comments serve as a stark reminder that the Premier League is a battle-hardened league where one mistake can prove costly.
For Arteta and his players, it's now time to get back on track and focus on winning games rather than getting distracted by the pressure of the title race. The question remains: can they regain their composure and confidence in time to defend their lead?