Arsenal were stunned by Manchester United in the English Premier League on Sunday when they were beaten 2-1 at Old Trafford in spite of the fact that it was the Gunners who took the lead and dominated proceedings in the first half.
Arsenal have now gone 9 points behind leaders and reiging champions Manchester United in the Premiership title race and with just four more rounds of matches remaining this season, there is no chance that the Gunners can catch up with the Red Devils.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger knows this and acceded title defeat. First he has to say this about the defeat at Old Trafford:
“I believe we played with quality and spirit and were unlucky to lose this game. I never felt under pressure and I believe defensively we played quite well.
“We lost on a penalty - that you can give or not give but we are used to that now - and on a free-kick when Gilberto did not touch him. I believe these two decisions made a big difference.
“We have to take it but overall I am proud of my team.”
Arsene Wenger’s thoughts on the title race now:
“Between success and failure this season there was very little. We have to accept that we will not win the title and that is hard to swallow.
“We do not feel that there is a difference technically and collectively between us and Chelsea and Manchester United.
“We have to continue to produce the football we produce. We will not always be unlucky. We played well at Liverpool and today.
“With all the bad things that have gone against us we need to be exceptionally strong to produce a performance like we did today.”
Actually this has been a long time coming. Since mid February, Arsenal have steadily and almost stubbornly slipped down the Premiership table and in midweek lost to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League. Once upon a time and that too not too long ago, Arsene Wenger’s side were in the running for a treble but now they have been reduced to a point where they wouldn’t even have the crusts and crumbs and would have to end the season trophy-barren.