Mikel Arteta 'job under pressure' as Man City outcome edges Arsenal nearer unthinkable scenario

Arsenal find their title aspirations threatened once again after Manchester City's win in their Premier League showdown at the Etihad reduced the deficit to just three points

Manchester United icon Bryan Robson believes Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's job is under growing pressure after their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City.

The Gunners' lead at the top of the Premier League was reduced to just three points – while City also have a game in hand – as their winless domestic run continued. Erling Haaland continued to be a thorn in the side of the north London club as his goal 20 minutes from time earned a crucial three points in their top-of-the-table clash.

Kai Havertz equalised shortly after Rayan Cherki's opener at the Etihad Stadium, with the German squandering a great opportunity late on as he could only steer his header over the bar.

Defeat for Arsenal means their lead at the summit was reduced to just three points and a win for City at Burnley on Wednesday will see Pep Guardiola's side return to the top of the table for the first time since mid-August.

Discussing Arteta's future, ex-Premier League boss Robson – who managed 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."

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

In each of the last three seasons, Arsenal have been challengers to the eventual Premier League champions. However, in two of those campaigns, the Gunners have seen themselves squander their advantage at the summit – extending their wait to return to the summit of English football to over 20 years.

Three years on from their title race collapse, Arsenal need to find their form and hope City drop points if they are to avoid history repeating itself.

Pressure will begin to mount on Arteta if the Gunners can't get over the line having been in pole position for the majority of the season.

It would be unthinkable for Arsenal to go this campaign trophyless, having seen the quadruple as a very real prospect just a few weeks ago.

The only piece of silverware that the Spaniard has in his collection is the FA Cup following their triumph in 2019, as well as Community Shield success in 2020 and 2023.

Despite the setback, Arteta remained defiant 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."