Final Arsenal Premier League title race verdict delivered as Liverpool issue emerges

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal failed to take their chances again against underwhelming Manchester United, producing another display that controlled the game but didn't offer an incisive goalscoring threat.

The disappointing result was enough for some fans in the football.londoncomments section to admit that the title race is finally over, and that the club need to be looking over their shoulders now. Arsenal were in control for the majority of the first half on Sunday, right up until Bruno Fernandes' free kick, which sailed over a wall that Arsenal complained was directed to sit too far back by referee Anthony Taylor.

United went into the second half with more energy, but Declan Rice was able to snatch a goal back in the 74th minute to seal a draw for the Gunners. The draw means that Arsenal are now 15 points behind Liverpool despite having been tipped to push the Reds all the way earlier in the season, and while a mathematical victory in the Premier League is still a long way away, it would take a massive reversal of fortunes to catch up.

When asked about the title race, Arteta said: “I don't want to say that, but today the frustration is that we haven't won our game, we know the urgency and you're obligated to win every single match. You won't have any chance of doing that, I don't think it's the right moment to talk about that.”

Some fans blamed Arteta and the team for the dropped points, with many saying the gap is now too big for Arsenal to claw back. On our Facebook page, Rodney Croome says: “Oh dear, we could only draw against the worst Manchester United side I've ever seen. That shows how bad we were.”

Barry Barker writes: “16 minutes to go, desperately needing a goal, & we bring on a defender!”

Daniel Phelps says: “Typical Martinelli, he came on and if he had crossed the ball then Trossard would have had a tap-in. But as normal, he takes a shot on goal when there's no chance of him scoring.”

Others blamed the refereeing, which has stung Arsenal plenty of times this season. Rohan Davis writes: “It’s Arsenal, of course the wall was further back than it should've been. Surprised it wasn’t a penalty & a sending off.” Garry J Carr agrees: “I expect an apology from the PGMOL soon!”

It's the bigger picture for reader Phil Newstead: “Arsenal have been so inconsistent this season. How we can beat City and PSV the way we did, and then draw against a United team that by their standards have struggled all season, when we have aspirations of winning the title? I don’t know.

“I think the board are happy to cruise along like this until we stop qualifying for the Champions League money spinner. And then they’ll spend some money and then we’ll be nearly there again, as we’ve seen the last few seasons, but not quite because they won’t spend the extra to get us over the line.

“It’s still not beyond the bounds of possibility that we could end up fourth or even fifth this season if we carry on dropping points like this.”

The hope's all gone for Shaun Stone, if it was ever there at all: “Can't see the problem. We were never going to win the league with this squad, so no big deal.”

Have your say! Is this it for Arsenal's title hopes? How do you strengthen for next season? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.

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