Ruben Amorim makes ‘key’ Arsenal claim after Man United’s late win against Man City

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Arsenal will be kicking themselves after failing to collect three points on matchday 16 of the Premier League season.

For the second consecutive week, Arsenal were unable to capitalise on Liverpool not picking up three points.

The league leaders drew against Fulham on week 16 of the season and the Gunners drew 0-0 at home to Everton in a tedious stalemate in N5.

It’s back to the drawing board for Mikel Arteta, who will be frustrated when glancing at the other results that unfolded on matchday 16.

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta should be seriously alarmed by what Sean Dyche said about Arsenal after Everton draw

What Ruben Amorim said about Arsenal after Manchester derby win

Arsenal’s 0-0 draw was one of the more uneventful fixtures of week 16 in the Premier League, with Liverpool dropping points not Arteta’s only concern.

While the Gunners were warned about their lack of open play threat, rivals Chelsea scored two against Brentford to go three points clear of the North Londoners. 

Elsewhere, Manchester City also fluffed their lines, suffering a late defeat to Manchester United at the Etihad in the Manchester derby, making Arsenal’s dropped points all the more frustrating.

After the game, Ruben Amorim commented on his team’s performance away from home, where he mentioned one difference he spotted from the United squad that lost to Arsenal. 

“I believe it was a lot different to Arsenal,” Amorim explained to the media.

“We controlled the game against Arsenal in the first half but I didn’t feel that belief today [vs City] I felt and I think that was the key point to change the game.”

The Portuguese saw a different level of belief in his team to get the job done over Pep Guardiola’s struggling side, something that wasn’t evident when United visited N5. 

It was only two weeks ago that Arsenal beat Man United 2-0 at the Emirates, in a game won by set play.

What another Man City defeat means for Arsenal

In another season, Amorim’s win over City would have been far more meaningful for the Gunners, given that Guardiola beat Arteta to the title for two consecutive years. 

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	15	11	3	1	31	13	18	36
2	ChelseaChelsea	16	10	4	2	37	19	18	34
3	ArsenalArsenal	16	8	6	2	29	15	14	30
4	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	16	8	4	4	21	19	2	28
5	Man CityManchester City	16	8	3	5	28	23	5	27

Instead, the win only keeps City at bay by a three-point margin, as the champions sit down in fifth as they continue to combat a dreary run of form.

It’s a real blow for Arsenal, who could have had a seven-point lead over City had they beat Fulham and Everton, two games that ended in disappointing draws.

Missing chances is an issue for the North Londoners both on the pitch and off it, with matchday 16 presenting yet another missed opportunity to take a step forward in the title race.