Martin Ødegaard just said what all Arsenal fans are thinking after Man United defeat

Is Arsenal's pursuit of the Premier League title coming off the rails? On Sunday, the Gunners were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United, conceding right at the death, mere moments after Mikel Merino had equalised.

This was their first home defeat of the season in any competition, while the first time in 108 matches, dating back to December 2023, that Mikel Arteta's team had conceded 3+ goals in a single match.

Following back-to-back goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, the anxiety levels of Gooners everywhere have been cranked up to 11.

Arsenal are still top, four points above Manchester City, but having not won the title for 22 years, and following three successive second-place finishes, nerves are understandably high. Well, captain Martin Ødegaard acknowledged this and admitted feeling the same as the supporters.

What Martin Ødegaard had to say post-Manchester United defeat

Speaking following Sunday's loss, Ødegaard noted that finishing second in each of the last three seasons is a factor in their latest title push:

"Obviously it is a factor, but it can be a good factor as well. It gives you more fuel and more hunger and determination to get it done."

Martin Ødegaard

When asked is the anxiety from the crowd played any part on the defeat the captain had this to say:

"“I didn’t feel that... The important thing is to stay in the moment. We can’t listen too much to the expectations and everything around it. We weren’t good enough and we have to learn from that.”"

Martin Ødegaard

Arteta's team will be determined to get back to winning ways when they return to Premier League action on Saturday, facing Leeds United.

The Gunners have won seven successive meetings with the Whites, unbeaten in 15 overall, winning six of eight trips to Elland Road since their last defeat in West Yorkshire in 2000. Should they drop points again, Manchester City would have the opportunity to close the gap even further at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium the following day.

Never before in top-flight English football history has any team finished second in four consecutive seasons:

Clubs to finish 2nd in 3 successive English top division seasons

Even with three other trophies up for grabs, the prospect of not finally ending their wait for the Premier League title is crippling supporters, and there is starting to be evidence of the same happening on the pitch too.

Ødegaard and his teammates are clearly aware of this pressure and expectations. Whether that is a good thing or not remains to be seen, needing to channel this in the right way.