Arsenal

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against PSV (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

The Gunners won the first leg 7-1 in Eindhoven last week.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no new injury concerns before Wednesday's game and Arteta expects Gabriel Martinelli, who featured from the bench against Manchester United, to be available.

• He said right-back Ben White "is in a good position now to start" games after managing his minutes to avoid any setbacks in his recovery from injury.

• Arteta neither confirmed nor denied he would rotate his squad given Arsenal's lead in the tie, but did say on his squad players: "They've been extremely helpful. When you have the opportunity to say thanks by giving them minutes, then we will do."

• On how he motivates the players when they have such a big advantage: "There's always improvement to be made and from the other day as well we have talked about situations we could have done better."

• He said the Champions League is a competition Arsenal "have been very consistent in" and Wednesday's game "can put us in an exciting position".

• On the pressure to go far into the competition as the gap between themselves and Liverpool in the Premier League widens: "It is the demands that we put into every competition. It is the reality of where we are and we want to deliver. We are conscious that the demands of this club are to win competitions."

• On the Premier League title race: "We are going to carry on fighting by trying to win every game. That is all we can do."

Arsenal are plotting a potential move for Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, 27, from Newcastle. (Football Insider), external

Ademola Lookman is expected to leave Atalanta this summer and the Nigeria forward, 27, is open to a Premier League return amid links with Chelsea and Arsenal. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

For many Arsenal fans, a match with Manchester United is still one of the first games to look out for when the fixtures are released.

It is a rivalry that has produced some of the most iconic moments in the Premier League - Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira's spat in the tunnel at Highbury, Martin Keown doing his best impression of a bird of prey following Ruud van Nistelrooy's penalty miss, and no fewer than seven red cards since 1997.

Arsenal fans who grew up with this rivalry through the 2000s and 2010s have suffered. On occasion, the Gunners did get the better of United, but they were also on the end of some truly harrowing defeats. After the 8-2 humiliation at Old Trafford in 2011, young fans were begging their parents to keep them home from school.

Fast forward to 2025 and the opportunity was there for revenge. Arsenal were currently on their longest unbeaten run in this fixture, having not lost to United since September 2022. And there has always been a sense that this particular United side are primed for the type of hiding to put to bed the nightmares from yesteryear. Ruben Amorim described his side as 'the worst in United's history'.

Surely it was time for Arsenal, who before the game sat 12 places above their Manchester rivals, to produce a humiliation of their own.

Instead, it was David Raya's heroics that saved Arsenal's blushes. Perhaps at fault for his positioning for Bruno Fernandes' 47th minute free-kick, he more than made up for it with a remarkable double save in the dying seconds to earn the Gunners a draw. Not only was this not the humiliation so many fans were craving, it was nearly quite the opposite.

Despite the challenges Manchester United have faced both on and off the pitch in recent years, Arsenal still cannot seem to dominate them in the way that on paper they should.

There is still an Old Trafford hoodoo, the type that saw Arsenal fail to win there for 12 years until the 1-0 win in 2020.

After Sunday's disappointing 1-1 draw, the wait for proper revenge goes on.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Phoenix: At this point we can't say we didn't see the end from the beginning. Majority of the blame goes to Mikel Arteta. Until our manager starts demanding things from both players and management, we will never be champions. So sad that in Arne Slot's first season in the league, he's going to be the champion while Arsenal are always the bridesmaid. Last season was far better than this season. Arteta has a lot question to answer. One more season to get us a title or get the sack.

Vinay: Deja vu. Arteta has taken a leaf out of Arsene Wenger's book by doing the same thing but expecting different results. Our players are all static and expect the ball to feet. We have no runners trying to play through the lines and are easy to defend against. You'd have thought, with the amount of teams that play the low block, we would work on that in training. Two things it proves: 1) The squad is not good enough and 2) Arteta has not learned a thing.

Terry: Once again the defence and midfield saved the day. Lacking quality in the final third is continuing to plague this side. No good pointing the finger as it is the same old story. We got the goal that was deserved to get the draw, but as we know the title has gone.

Nihal: Story of our season - no end product. Without David Raya it could've easily been three and he saved us in the end. We try in the Champions League and we will go again next season. Hopefully attacking signings in the summer.

Steven: Just shows how far we are away from winning this league as we cannot seem to beat the worst Manchester United side ever. It is difficult to sit and watch when we know how good they can actually be, but we have no consistency.

Amarachi: This was a typical Arsenal performance - when the going gets tough, we seem to crumble. United seem to raise their game when they play us. Good effort from Arsenal, but not buying a forward in four transfer windows has cost us.

Eddie: Well below our true level. Not for the first time - but we need a decent front runner.

Image source, Getty Images

Former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Liverpool will want to get the Premier League title wrapped up "as quickly as possible" and that Arsenal have given them an "open door to get it done".

On BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast he said: "I think if you are a Liverpool player right now, as much as they have surprised everyone this season, nobody expected them to be in this position and this good under new manager Arne Slot.

"They have been sensational, only losing one game this season to Nottingham Forest and they are going to want to get this done as quickly as possible because they are still competing in the Champions League until at least next week, so wrapping up the Premier League title is the priority and Arsenal have given them an open door to get it done."

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Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester United and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Manchester United fans

Leon: Ruben Amorin got his tactics correct and every member of the team played well. However, it told us that we needed a striker without telling us we need a striker.

Ian: They all put in a shift and we had a shape and a plan. Ayden Heaven looks a good prospect while Rasmus Hojllund is just not up to it. Time to give Chido Obi more minutes. Let's see what happens Thursday.

Joe: I can't believe I'm saying this but Arsenal were lucky to escape with a point. We weren't great but at least we showed some bite in the second half. I am still not sure whether Hojlund is not good enough, or he is just unlucky. David Raya made the difference. We need to carry this belief forward to Thursday.

Simon: The second half was much better, but I wish I knew the reason why they lack so much confidence, especially at the start of every game.

Steven: In the end, I am disappointed to draw the game. First half was forgettable, but the second half was much improved. Through all of this season's negative vibes, I feel the promise Heaven has is exceptional. Also, Matthijs de Ligt is putting in some very solid performances at the minute which are going under the radar. Overall, a happy weekend.

Arsenal fans

Terry: Once again the defence and midfield saved the day. Lacking quality in the final third is continuing to plague this side. No good pointing the finger as it is the same old story. We got the goal that was deserved to get the draw, but as we know the title has gone.

Nihal: Story of our season - no end product. Without David Raya it could've easily been three and he saved us in the end. We try in the Champions League and we will go again next season. Hopefully attacking signings in the summer.

Steven: Just shows how far we are away from winning this league as we cannot seem to beat the worst Manchester United side ever. It is difficult to sit and watch when we know how good they can actually be, but we have no consistency.

Amarachi: This was a typical Arsenal performance - when the going gets tough, we seem to crumble. United seem to raise their game when they play us. Good effort from Arsenal, but not buying a forward in four transfer windows has cost us.

Eddie: Well below our true level. Not for the first time - but we need a decent front runner.

Was Arsenal's 7-1 victory over PSV in the Champions League simply a case of papering over the cracks of a lacklustre attack?

The Gunners looked toothless during their 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, as they dropped more points in the title race.

Despite dominating for large periods and mustering 17 shots away from home, they only managed to find the net once with an xG of 1.66.

Mikel Arteta's side actually had more shots at Old Trafford than they did in Eindhoven midweek - the outcome, however, was drastically different.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's three Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 1-0 Leicester City

• Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal

Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast about Arsenal:

"I watched when they played Nottingham Forest recently and they're brilliant between the boxes, but then it's the final pass or the final shot that's not good enough.

"I don't know any team, apart from Manchester City, who can win something without a natural number nine.

"Being an ex-striker myself, it does my head in. You need us! You're only as good as your centre forwards."

Ex-West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker added: "All the teams now have a blueprint of how to beat Arsenal; be hard to break down, sit back and defend because they don't have that threat and the x-factor - which showed again on Sunday [against Manchester United at Old Trafford] - then you'll get results against Arsenal.

"That's what all the teams that have got results against them have done. They've sat, overloaded the midfield, you don't have to worry about the striker because they don't have one, they'll take unnecessary risks and they'll present opportunities for you.

"They're not scoring from set-pieces as much as well, which is starting to become a problem and evident."

Listen on BBC Sounds

Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have been keeping tabs on Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram. (TBR Football), external

Former Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta has agreed to take on the same role at Arsenal, despite interest from the likes of Manchester United and Paris St-Germain. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice speaking to Sky Sports: "In the first half, we had some beautiful bits of play but didn't have that cutting edge. In the second half, we were very naive and almost gave the game to Manchester United.

"It's probably a fair point in the end.

"We scored seven midweek and that's not luck. PSV hadn't lost at home for two years. United did well and sat in the low block well. It can take 90 minutes to break that down. There wasn't much in the game.

"The chance at the end with Bruno [Fernandes] and David [Raya] making two great saves, that's why I say that naivety. It was down to us and we could have thrown the game away.

"Like the manager said, we'll keep going until the end of the season. Liverpool have been amazing all year. We're Arsenal. We've been hit hard by injuries. We'll keep going and we'll be alright."

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's failings in front of goal and the lack of recognised striker have holed their Premier League title challenge below the waterline. In reality, they are only playing to ensure a place in the top four while training their sights on the Champions League.

And they were in evidence again here as Arsenal dominated possession - which was 68.2% to 31.8% in their favour - but failed to apply any sustained, serious pressure on a United side short of quality and shorn of confidence.

Utilising midfield man Mikel Merino as an emergency striker, Arsenal had 17 shots but only six on target - the same as Manchester United. Too often pointless passing in front of the home side's defence fizzled out on the edge of the penalty area.

They ended up relying on Raya, who must take his share of responsibility for United's goal, to avoid defeat with those three crucial second-half saves to make amends for the error of judgement in the first half.

Arsenal surely know in their heart of hearts that the title pursuit is over and the Premier League is Liverpool's, but they must somehow find a way to repeat the potency of the stunning 7-1 win at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in midweek rather than the blunt instrument they were here.

The Gunners got a point in the end, but it is a meaningless one in title terms.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports: "We had some unbelievable situations but we didn't get the last shot or the last pass. We didn't capitalise, we rushed the game, we started to lose duels and we could have ended up losing it."

On them struggling to take their chances: "Sometimes that is what is missing. The execution has to be in to the right player and the right player to shoot. How we conceded [chances] in certain moments was not acceptable. They have so much quality and they pick the right player and normally that would end in a goal.

"We opened the gate to lose the game. There was no chance to lose the game and we opened it ourselves. I will defend my players all the time but in those moments we have to do better."

Image source, Getty Images

As an Arsenal player, Declan Rice has been directly involved in three goals in five games against Manchester United.

United are also the only side he's scored more than once against for his current club.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on United's performance

What did you make of Arsenal's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

There are three Premier League matches on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Tottenham v Bournemouth - Listen and follow the action here

• Chelsea v Leicester City - Listen and follow the action here

• Manchester United v Arsenal (16:30) - Listen and follow the action here

Kick-off times 14:00 GMT unless stated

I was in Eindhoven on Tuesday to cover Arsenal in the Champions League for 5 Live, and it's a lovely place.

Eindhoven is the design capital of the Netherlands, known for being a city of innovation and creativity - two of the things Manchester United are sorely lacking at the moment.

Arsenal have struggled to score in the Premier League but the goals were flowing freely for them against PSV and this feels like it is going to be another rearguard action for Manchester United, similar to the way they got past the Gunners in the FA Cup.

United do seem to, somehow, raise their game against the better teams and that is the only way they are going to make this close.

I still think Arsenal will win it, though.

Tuesday was the first time I have seen Ethan Nwaneri play in the flesh and I was really impressed with his performance for Mikel Arteta's team.

Declan Rice was immense in midfield and Martin Odegaard was excellent too. There has been some criticism of his form recently but he really delivered in that game.

So, although United might try to make things hard for them, I definitely think Arsenal will find a way through.

They won't score seven again, but this game has got all the hallmarks of ending up 1-0 to the Arsenal.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here