Gary Neville says Mikel Arteta knows Arsenal reality after Man Utd interview exit

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville says that Mikel Arteta cannot avoid the questions being asked about his Arsenal team after the Gunners boss exited his post-match interview while seemingly dodging the final question put to him.

Arsenal gained a point at Old Trafford after Declan Rice equalised in the second half following Bruno Fernandes' first-half free-kick. But the result leaves Arteta's side 15 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, though they do have a game in hand over Arne Slot's team.

The Gunners again started with Mikel Merino in a striker role, but were unable to create many clear-cut chances across the game, with Andre Onana only facing six shots on target throughout the game. In fact, it was the hosts who looked more likely to take all three points, with David Raya pulling off three big saves to keep his side in it, including a stoppage-time double-save from a Fernandes effort.

Following the game, Arteta spoke to Sky Sports but naturally did not seem in the best of moods after his side scored just their third goal in four Premier League games, even after bagging seven in midweek against PSV in the Champions League.

As the interview was set to end, reporter Patrick Davison said: "Mikel, one more. I have to ask you about the title race because it’s 15 points now: is it too much?" But Arteta left after stating: "Alright, thank you,"

The broadcast cut back to the studio with pundits Roy Keane, Paul Merson, Jamie Redknapp and Neville all looking a little surprised at what they'd seen. Neville in particular seemed perplexed by the reaction.

"Why was he so agitated when Patrick asked him that question about the striker? Normally when you see a manager act like that… he seemed to walk off," Neville said.

"Usually if you see a manager walk off from an interview when he's been asked a question, you normally think there is something getting to them.

"Is he sick of being asked that question? Does he think that's too simple an answer that he doesn't have a striker?

"The fact of the matter is it will still continue to be asked. The reason is because there are hundreds of thousands of Arsenal fans who for many months and years now have said: 'We need a striker'.

"It's not just us in the studio or Patrick Davison, who was asking the question - it's the Arsenal fans.

"You can't kid football fans, they know the team as well as anybody. They need a top-class striker in that changing room."