Mikel Arteta issues Arsenal rallying cry after Man Utd defeat sparks title jitters

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Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal are not in the mood to panic despite Manchester United blowing the title race wide open.

United boss Michael Carrick inflicted the first home defeat on the Gunners this season and the gap at the top is now just four points from Manchester City and Aston Villa . United supersub Matheus Cunha hit a sensational late winner to make it two straight wins for interim boss Carrick as the Emirates also suffered a case of the jitters.

But Gunners boss Arteta said: “That's part of the demands and expectations that we want to win, and that's it. Individually, everybody can react in the manner that they need to. It (the reaction of the fans) doesn't matter; we have to do more, so maybe that's not enough. We have to do more, there's nothing else. We have to do our very best.

“When you do that, you can rest in peace. Today we really certainly tried to do our very best, but we weren't efficient enough against a team that is very well organised and we got punished because of our own mistakes as well.”

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Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard said: “"It was not good enough from us and we need some time to analyse it. We should've done better but now is the time to stick together more, keep working, push each other more and bounce back.”

United boss Carrick said: “The boys have been fantastic in terms of taking things on, wanting to do it and investing into it. You can see what it means to them at the end.

“Really proud of them today, it's obvious to say but it's a tough place to come. Especially with the way the game flowed we stick at it and fantastic feeling at the end.”

But Carrick insisted that his position - despite beating Arsenal and Manchester City in consecutive weeks - has not changed. Carrick added: “Nothing's changed. I've been here less than two weeks and I'm desperate to do well and improve the team and finish as high as we can.

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“And having days like this and last week is something you get greedy for and we want to keep building on this for weeks to come. To give the fans something to shout about on days like this is what it's all about."

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira said on Sky Sports : "They need to go back to the basics. To express themselves, play with freedom, and go forward. There were too many players that didn't perform today.

"It was a must-win game. They needed to send a message to the rest of the teams in the league. I think Saka was too quiet. He is one of, if not, the best offensive player.

"Big games like that you expect him to score and take the team. Trossard is important, but he didn't perform. Jesus ran a lot, used a lot of energy, but you want him to be in the box more. In the midfield, the only one [who performed] was Declan Rice . There were too many players who didn't play at their level."