Arsenal must beware the perils of anti-football after succumbing to Man United magic

Arsenal’s first home defeat of the season was accompanied by a sense of poetic justice. Two true socialites had proven the difference between another Gunners victory via set-piece debauchery and defeat. The anti-football was defeated by its antithesis: bonito joga.

Mikel Arteta’s side were the architects of their own downfall against a resurgent Manchester United side. After dominating the opening half-hour and taking a deserved lead, albeit through an own goal, the league leaders capitulated during a seven-minute spell that saw Bryan Mbeumo create two golden chances. He took the second one.

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“We gave them the goal,” lamented Arteta, whose team were booed at the half-time whistle. “Mistakes are a part of football, very unlike us, but we gave them the goal and the hope, and that changed the energy, because from then until halftime we really struggled.”

Arteta was right; it was no different from the rigid Arsenal we’ve seen this season, the team with the best defense in the league. Their reaction, however, was even more unusual for a Premier League title contender. Arsenal were now flat, which made little difference by falling behind.

Patrick Dorgu’s superb volley five minutes after the restart “took the breath away” from everyone inside the Emirates, including United caretaker manager Michael Carrick. Such a shocking move should have elicited the desired response from Arsenal to regain the lead, but it lacked.

Instead of forcing the problem on United’s infamous defense with pace and intensity, Arteta brought in Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino – two target men who aren’t exactly renowned for their explosive moves. Gyokeres is quick once up to speed, but getting up to speed – or the lack of it – has defined his struggles at Arsenal since his £55m summer arrival.

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The intention of their introduction was clear; Arteta once again hedged his bets on the free-kick. Arsenal have been the kings of dead balls this season, with almost 30% of goals scored from corners, free kicks, penalties or long throws. On 10 occasions this season, a victory has been decided via one of these supports.

His reliance on set plays has made Arteta-ball an often tedious watch, but this game is all about results. And those old-school methods, once a mainstay of lower mid-table tactics, had helped propel the Gunners seven points clear at the top of the league heading into this weekend.

So the next 20 minutes of action elicited far more groans from the Arsenal faithful than roars of encouragement, but all would once again have been forgiven had Arteta’s philosophy paid off.

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That seemed to be the case when, with his eighth corner of the match, Bukayo Saka placed the ball over Senne Lammens and the crowd of Arsenal bodies surrounding him. The Belgian keeper reacted ineffectively to the ball to spark a rush towards goal before Merino forced him over the line, despite Benjamin Sesko’s best efforts under the crossbar.

The goals aren’t much uglier, but Arsenal had apparently saved themselves at least another point thanks to their set-piece prowess, and Arteta hoped that would push the league leaders to another victory. “I think we managed to move the energy, score the second goal and you could feel everything changed and the game was there to win,” Arteta said.

That’s not what happened. Three minutes later, another individual brilliance from a Man United player – this time Matheus Cunha – saw Arsenal find themselves on the brink of defeat, their anti-football approach ultimately failing to bear fruit.

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Start emptying the Emirates. For a team that has established itself as clear favorites in the title race, the reaction from Arsenal fans highlighted that without results, Arteta’s footballing ideology does not inspire much hope.

Is an early exodus justified, or simply the irritation of an entitled mob? Whatever you think, it was indicative of the fans’ frustration with supporting a team that plays like Arsenal. There is no redeeming factor or saving grace to overcome.

This is what will spark fear in Arteta, who is trying to finally end a run of three second places by delivering a first Premier League title to N7 in more than two decades. Favorable circumstances require it has will be their year – reigning champions Liverpool are way off the pace, Manchester City are in a period of transition and Aston Villa, while putting up a worthy fight, will struggle to stay in contention on the final day. But despite being at the top of the league, an incident like this was long overdue – and it could prove extremely damaging to both the club’s title hopes and supporters’ sentiment.

Defeat against United leaves Arsenal on a three-game winless streak in England’s top flight. They had escaped dropping points against Brighton, Everton and Wolves in December; now it feels like the clutch component of Arsenal’s game is starting to fade.

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The gap at the top was eight points 23 days ago; it has since been reduced by half. If Arsenal’s title bid continues to decline, Arteta’s playbook will become increasingly maligned. There is a thin line between deification and degeneration for the Spaniard, and the coming weeks could prove crucial to how he is remembered in north London for years to come.