Mikel Arteta’s 200th Premier League game as Arsenal manager felt less like a celebration and more like a painful reminder of another failed title charge.

A 1-1 draw at Old Trafford against a struggling Manchester United summed up Arsenal’s season—promising but ultimately falling short. Now, they trail leaders Liverpool by 15 points, watching their title hopes slip away.

Possession Without Purpose

Arsenal dominated possession with 68.2%, weaving intricate patterns around United’s defense. However, their lack of cutting edge up front proved costly. Declan Rice’s crisp strike in the 74th minute salvaged a point after Bruno Fernandes had given United the lead in first-half stoppage time. But despite their control, the Gunners failed to land decisive blows against an opponent lacking quality and confidence.

Striker Woes and Transfer Missteps

Arsenal’s title challenge has been fading for weeks, largely due to their failure to sign a proven striker. Injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz further exposed their lack of attacking depth, with Bukayo Saka’s absence compounding the problem.

Arteta’s decision to turn to full-back Kieran Tierney—who is set to leave for Celtic—rather than forward Raheem Sterling raised eyebrows. Sterling, a last-minute loan signing from Chelsea, has been a non-factor this season, making Arteta’s gamble on him appear more like a misguided project than a strategic move.

Missed Chances, Missed Opportunity

With Arsenal desperate for a winner, Arteta deployed midfielder Mikel Merino as an emergency striker—an act of desperation that emphasized their attacking shortcomings. Arteta admitted the team lacked efficiency in the final third, saying, “To come to Old Trafford and play like we did is superb, but you have to capitalize. We didn’t.”

This match was Arsenal’s to win. They had 48 hours more to prepare than United, who had just returned from a Europa League clash against Real Sociedad. They had a morale-boosting 7-1 victory over PSV in the Champions League last-16 first leg. Yet, when it mattered most, they failed to capitalize.

A Growing Pressure

As the season nears its conclusion, questions over Arteta’s ability to deliver major silverware grow louder. Arsenal have improved under his leadership, but near-misses will not satisfy fans or the board. The pressure is mounting, and without a trophy, Arteta risks being remembered not for his progress, but for his failures at the final hurdle.

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