Mikel Arteta handed Arsenal sack verdict after Man City deliver title blow

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Manchester United legend Bryan Robson believes Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is facing mounting pressure on his position following their 2-1 loss to Manchester City . The Gunners' advantage at the top of the Premier League was trimmed to just three points – with City also holding a game in hand – as their barren domestic run showed no signs of ending.

Erling Haaland continued to haunt the north London side, netting with 20 minutes remaining to secure a vital three points in the top-of-the-table showdown. Kai Havertz levelled shortly after Rayan Cherki's opener at the Etihad Stadium, though the German squandered a golden chance late on, steering his header over the bar.

The defeat left Arsenal's lead at the summit at just three points, and a victory for City at Burnley on Wednesday would see Pep Guardiola's men reclaim top spot for the first time since mid-August.

In a matter of weeks, Arsenal's pursuit of a quadruple is at risk after defeat in the Carabao Cup final, their FA Cup exit and a blow to their title aspirations, while a Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid looms.

Former Premier League manager Robson – who had spells 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."

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Over the past three seasons, Arsenal have mounted challenges against the eventual Premier League champions.

Yet in two of those campaigns, the Gunners have watched themselves surrender their position at the top – prolonging their absence from the pinnacle of English football to beyond 20 years.

Three years after their title race collapse, Arsenal must rediscover their rhythm and hope City slip up if they are to prevent history from repeating itself.

Questions will intensify around Arteta should the Gunners fail to cross the finish line having occupied top spot for much of the season.

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It would be unimaginable for Arsenal to end this campaign empty-handed, having viewed the quadruple as a genuine possibility just weeks earlier.

The sole trophy in the Spaniard's cabinet remains the FA Cup from their 2019 victory, alongside Community Shield successes in 2020 and 2023.

Despite the setback, Arteta remained resolute speaking after the defeat to Man 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."

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