Arsenal are proving to be their own problem in the Premier League title race

Arsenal fell to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, losing further ground in the Premier League title race and proving once again that they are their own problem.

While it was just the Gunners' third loss this season, it was the eighth game in which they have failed to win, and just like most of those other poor performances, they were completely at fault for not taking all three points.

Mikel Arteta's side still hold a four-point advantage over Manchester City and Aston Villa at the top of the table, but their campaign is at serious risk of falling off a cliff and if they want to prevent that, they really need to stop hindering themselves.

Arsenal are proving to be their own problem in the title race

There are two key reasons why Arsenal are their own problem in the title race - errors leading to goal and a poor approach to games either before or during play.

The Gunners have now lost three games in the Premier League this season. A defeat to Liverpool at the beginning of the season, decided only by a stunning Dominik Szoboszlai free kick, a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa, where the failure to clear the ball several times led to the hosts' winning goal, and now Sunday's fall to United, caused by errors and a dismal game plan.

At 1-0, Arteta's side had the potential to cruise to victory at Emirates Stadium, but a sloppy pass by Martín Zubimendi presented Bryan Mbeumo the perfect chance to equalise, which he took without hesitation. It was the North Londoners' second error leading to goal in their last four league games, meaning they have already made more mistakes than in the first half of the season.

That leveller proved to be disastrous as from there, United looked far more comfortable and took the lead through a sublime Patrick Dorgu hit in the opening minutes of the second-half. While it was a stunning strike by the Dane, the build-up could have been better dealt with by the Gunners.

Arsenal pushed for the remainder of the game for an equaliser and that eventually came through Mikel Merino, only to have a third dagger sent through the hearts soon after when Matheus Cunha unleashed a sensational effort from range to beat David Raya and win the game. It was a moment of brilliance that decided the match, but the Gunners were to still very much to blame for the defeat.

As was the case against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and most of the other matches Arteta's side have dropped points in, the team's game plan was a primary factor in their failure to win against United.

It was a great start by the Gunners as they dominated the play all over the pitch for the opening 20 minutes or so, leading to the deadlock being broken in their favour.

After taking the lead, Arsenal seemed to take their foot off the pedal and looked passive, shooting themselves in the foot as they allowed United a way back into the game. It all seemed to go wrong for the hosts from there as their visitors eventually took the lead and kept the Gunners at bay for practically the remainder of the game.

Poor decision-making, a lack of intensity, and an apparent fear to lose the game ended in United taking all three points and leaving Arteta's side just four points ahead at the top of the table.

Things really need to change at the Emirates over the coming weeks. Out of form attackers aren't helping Arsenal's case, but so many things need to be different in the coming weeks. If the Gunners really do want to go on and win the Premier League, they have to show they want it. Stop being scared in big games, show urgency and intensity on the pitch, don't let the pressure get to you.

There's a long way to go, but it's up to Arsenal to prevent themselves from being the architects of their own downfall.