Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to show they have the character to cope with a 3-2 defeat against Manchester United that breathed new life into the Premier League title race.
Arteta’s side would have moved seven points clear at the top with a win at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but they squandered the chance to consolidate their title charge.
Lisandro Martinez’s own goal put Arsenal ahead before Bryan Mbeumo equalised late in the first half.
Patrick Dorgu’s superb long-range strike gave United the lead after the interval, only for Mikel Merino to scramble home an Arsenal equaliser in the closing stages.
Just minutes after Merino netted following a mistake by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha stunned the Gunners with a brilliant drive from 25 yards.
Instead of having a commanding lead in the title battle, Arsenal are now just four points clear of second-placed Manchester City and third-placed Aston Villa, who won 2-0 at Newcastle on Sunday.
“The margins are extremely small and we made them even smaller. Now we have to react and see what we are made of,” Arteta said.
“Today we were not at our level and we paid the price. We just gave it away.
“We gave them a goal which is unusual and painful, then they had two brilliant moments with incredible goals. We were not at our best.
“In the first 30 minutes we were in total control, scoring a goal, but after that so many times we gave the ball away in important areas. We started to lose control and dominance and it became a chaotic game.”
It was Arsenal’s first defeat in 13 games in all competitions since losing at Villa in December.
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