Mikel Arteta walks out of interview after question about Arsenal winning the title | Football

Mikel Arteta refused to hang around and answer questions about Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes after Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

The Gunners rescued a point after Declan Rice’s superb 74th minute equaliser cancelled out a stunning Bruno Fernandes free kick on the stroke of half time.

It is now just one win in four games for an Arsenal team who are appear to be running on empty, particularly in an attacking sense.

Gabriel Martinelli did at least make his return as a second half substitute, but without Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka options are thin on the ground.

Saka, it is hoped, will make his comeback before the end of the month but Arteta denied his side’s lack of goals of late is down to the club’s decision to not sign a new forward in January.

‘It’s not about that,’ he said bluntly when asked about their failure to make a single addition to the squad when they had the opportunity.

Arsenal are now 15 points behind Liverpool and with just one win in the last four they are now looking over their shoulders as the race for a top four spot hots up.

Pressed as to whether he retained any hope of overhauling Liverpool, Arteta said: No, thank you’ before leaving Sky Sports’ reporter Patrick Davidson in the lurch.

A concerned Gary Neville responded to that interview by claiming Arteta appeared to be agitated and suggested his discontent was down to Arsenal’s lack of business in January.

He said: ‘Why was he so agitated when Patrick asked him that question about a striker?

‘Normally when you see a manager act like that and sort of walk off, he seemed to walk off that’s what I thought.

‘Usually if you see a manager walk out of an interview when he’s asked a question you normally think something is getting on top of him. Is he sick of being asked that question? It will continue to be asked.’

Whatever the outcome at the end of the season, Arsenal will regroup and are certain to make new signings, especially given the imminent arrival of a new sporting director.

Even with new signings, however, Roy Keane is far from sure Arsenal will end their long wait for major silverware next season.

He said: ‘What makes you think they can do it? Or the manager can do it?

‘They got close the last few years but City will be strong next year, I’m sure Liverpool will be strong. Where’s the evidence to think they can do it?

‘Get another striker in and that would help. But have they got the right mentality? Has this manager?

‘We see the manager getting agitated there which is fine. We see a different side when they’re winning every week but when they’re not winning they get frustrated. But what is the evidence?’

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