Arsenal's Title Hopes Fading After Old Trafford Draw with Manchester United

Declan Rice kept Arsenal's slim Premier League title hopes alive with a crucial equalizer and a heroic defensive intervention in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. However, with Arsenal now trailing league leaders Liverpool by 15 points, their aspirations of lifting the trophy appear to be hanging by a thread.

Bruno Fernandes had given United the lead in the first half with a well-taken free kick, capitalizing on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya’s poor positioning. Despite dominating possession with 68%, the Gunners struggled to break down a resilient United defense. Rice, however, stepped up in the 74th minute with a fine strike to level the score before producing a goal-saving tackle to deny Rasmus Højlund in the closing stages.

United nearly snatched all three points in stoppage time, but Raya redeemed himself with a crucial save to claw out Fernandes' close-range effort. While Arsenal will take solace in avoiding a potentially fatal defeat to their title chase, the result does little to strengthen their chances of overhauling Liverpool.

Arsenal's Diminishing Title Aspirations

Mathematically, Arsenal are still in the race, but realistically, they need a near-perfect run while hoping Liverpool stumble in the final stretch. With a game in hand and a crucial clash at Anfield on May 10, Mikel Arteta's side must rediscover the ruthless winning form that defined their early season.

However, injuries and an unstable defense raise concerns. Arsenal have now drawn ten times this season, and their inability to convert dominance into victories has proven costly. Despite Rice’s heroics at both ends, the lack of a clinical edge in attack, exacerbated by injuries to Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka, has left them struggling to impose themselves when it matters most.

Liverpool need just five wins and a draw from their remaining nine matches to seal the title. Arsenal, on the other hand, need something close to a miracle.

Encouraging Signs for Amorim's United?

Manchester United’s season has been nothing short of disappointing, with Ruben Amorim’s side languishing in 14th place, eight points adrift of the top half. However, Sunday’s performance suggested that the Portuguese coach is beginning to instill some structure and discipline in his squad.

For the first time since December 1, United led a Premier League match at halftime, and they looked organized against an Arsenal side that dominated possession. Fernandes continued to be the creative spark, while Alejandro Garnacho delivered an encouraging display after a difficult run of form. Even the much-criticized Casemiro and Christian Eriksen showed signs of renewed energy in midfield.

Despite surrendering the lead, United fans may take heart from the improved performance. Having been booed off in recent home games, Amorim’s men showed resilience, and the young talent in the squad, such as Ayden Heaven, provided glimpses of promise.

Left-Back Issues Persist for Arsenal

Defensive frailties have haunted Arsenal in recent seasons, and their struggles at left-back continue to be a glaring issue. With Jurrien Timber sidelined for much of the campaign, Arteta has experimented with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, and Takehiro Tomiyasu – none of whom have fully convinced.

Sunday’s match saw Riccardo Calafiori, a £42 million summer signing from Bologna, struggle to cope with Garnacho’s direct running. The 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly has been given opportunities in the position, but Arteta has expressed caution regarding his defensive maturity. Though Lewis-Skelly showed flashes of promise, particularly with a driving run that earned a dangerous free kick, Arsenal’s left-back position remains a weak link.

United’s Striker Woes Continue

While United showed signs of improvement, their struggles in attack remain a major concern. Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee, despite their effort and work rate, have lacked the quality to consistently trouble opposition defenses.

Between them, they have just five Premier League goals this season, and neither has scored in the league since early December. Their inability to hold up play and bring teammates into attacking moves has placed additional pressure on an already struggling United midfield and defense.

Zirkzee, who started the match, was frequently targeted by goalkeeper André Onana’s long passes, but he failed to win aerial duels against Arsenal’s defensive pairing of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba. When Højlund replaced him in the second half, the Danish striker showed aggression but struggled with his first touch, frequently conceding possession.

United desperately need a striker capable of not only scoring goals but also providing a reliable focal point in attack—something neither Zirkzee nor Højlund has been able to offer consistently this season.

Sterling’s Arsenal Future in Doubt

One of the most puzzling storylines at Arsenal this season has been the minimal impact of Raheem Sterling. Signed on loan from Chelsea in a deal without an option to buy, the 30-year-old winger was expected to provide valuable experience and depth, particularly during the team’s recent injury crisis.

Yet, Sterling has found himself relegated to the bench, with Arteta preferring alternative options such as Kieran Tierney—traditionally a left-back—when searching for attacking solutions. With only 12 Premier League appearances and no goals to his name, Sterling's future looks increasingly uncertain, and a return to Chelsea in the summer seems inevitable.

De Ligt Establishing Himself as a Leader

Despite United’s struggles, one bright spot in recent weeks has been the form of Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutch defender endured a difficult start to life in Manchester following his £40 million move from Bayern Munich, but he has gradually emerged as a key figure in Amorim’s defensive setup.

With Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, and Jonny Evans all sidelined due to injury, De Ligt has stepped up as United’s defensive leader. While he may not fit the profile of a modern ball-playing center-back, his tenacity, aerial dominance, and leadership have made him one of the few positives in an otherwise frustrating campaign.

Looking Ahead

For Arsenal, the draw at Old Trafford feels more like two points dropped than one gained. Their title hopes remain mathematically alive, but the reality is that their grip on the race has significantly weakened. With a crucial visit to Anfield still to come, they must find another gear if they are to apply any pressure on Liverpool.

As for Manchester United, Amorim will take positives from an improved performance, but their continued struggles at home underline the work still needed. With attacking reinforcements a necessity, United must address their lack of firepower if they are to salvage anything from a disappointing season.

Elevate your betting experience with SKY247 Nigeria. Join now and discover a thrilling world of sports, live events, and exclusive bonuses. Bet with confidence on your favourite teams and games.