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Arteta calls for Arsenal reaction after Villa blow
Arsenal’s Premier League title destiny was wrenched out of its own hands as it lost 2-0 at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, but manager Mikel Arteta said how his team reacts will be crucial.
A first loss in 12 league games brought back horrible memories of last season, when Arsenal collapsed under the relentless pressure of Manchester City.
Late goals by Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins secured a superb win for Villa on a day Manchester City was left as clear favorite to win a fourth successive title.
City, who thrashed Luton Town on Saturday, has 73 points from 32 games with Arsenal and Liverpool, which was stunned by Crystal Palace earlier in the day, on 71.
“That’s the reality now,” Arteta said when asked if Manchester City was now in charge of the title race.
“It’s been the same for a few months. We knew this moment could come, and now it’s about reacting well. If one result is going to (derail us) then we are not strong enough.
“We had a great performance in the first half, it should have been three or four. Second half, the momentum shifted. Now is the moment to stand up and be counted.”
Thousands of fans streamed out of The Emirates Stadium after Villa’s second goal, as Arsenal’s hopes of a first title in 20 years were dealt with a mighty blow. It still has six games left, however, and midfielder Declan Rice said all was not lost.
“Sometimes you need a game like this to reset and refocus, and I still believe there will be loads of twists and turns,” Rice told Sky Sports.
Arsenal can ill afford any sort of hangover after its first league defeat since New Year’s Eve. It faces Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal on Wednesday, having drawn 2-2 in the first leg.
It then goes to Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend, when it will have the opportunity to go top of the table again, albeit having played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s City.
“After losing any game they are frustrated and sad,” Arteta told reporters. “We have a beautiful opportunity that hasn’t happened in 14 years to go to the semifinals of the Champions League. It couldn’t come at a better moment.”