Fernandes steps up to bury Arsenal's fragile title hopes

The chorus was about winning the league at Old Trafford.

- RICHARD JOLLY

Not, it transpired, the latest manifestation of Manchester United’s Project 150 but the vocal Arsenal fans, harking back to 2002. In 2025, however, it became still clearer at Old Trafford that the Gunners won’t win the league and why. With a 15-point deficit, it is only Arsenal themselves and Arne Slot who cannot admit it is over, a one-horse race after they were held by a one-man team. Bruno Fernandes gave United something they have often lacked at home this season – pride – and Arsenal the familiar feeling of disappointment.

“You are obligated to win every single match if you want a chance,” said a grim-faced Mikel Arteta. His abiding emotion was “frustration”. For many a year, a point at Old Trafford represented an achievement. Now it is a disappointment. Arsenal broke Champions League records by scoring seven away at PSV Eindhoven but their last three league games have yielded a lone goal and just two points. Neither tally is enough.

It felt scant consolation that it could have been worse. David Raya was perhaps both culpable and rescuer; he might have done better for Fernandes’s opener but he did superbly to deny the United captain an injury-time winner, springing to his feet after an initial save to claw the ball back when it threatened to spin over the line. The Spaniard had already had two redemptive moments in swift succession, making terrific saves from Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee, the latter attempting an audacious backheel flick. “The reality is David saved us,” added Arteta.