Patrice Evra identifies Arsenal ‘problem’ in Premier League title race

Patrice Evra says his ‘problem’ with Arsenal is they have promised so much in recent years under Mikel Arteta – but are still yet to deliver when it truly matters in the Premier League.

A rampant Arsenal restored their advantage at the top of the table to six points with a statement 4-1 victory in a one-sided north London derby with Tottenham last month.

However, the Gunners have looked a different team without the injured Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba and their lead has since narrowed to just two points after 15 games.

In the space of their last five games in the top flight, Arteta’s men drew away to Sunderland and Chelsea, before being beaten at Villa Park at the weekend, to loosen their grip on top spot.

Second-placed Manchester City, meanwhile, made it three wins on the bounce with victory over high-flying Sunderland to keep the pressure on their title rivals heading into the Christmas period.

Once they have returned from their midweek Champions League trip to Club Brugge, Arsenal will look to return to get back to winning ways in the Premier League at home to lowly Wolves.

The north Londoners know that victory over Wolves on Saturday would send them five points clear of City, who take on Crystal Palace 24 hours later at Selhurst Park.

‘It’s really difficult because every time I talk about Arsenal, it’s banter,’ former Manchester United full-back Evra told Tribal Football.

‘I love Arsenal because of the football they played back in the day. Arsenal was the first team I watched in the Premier League because Thierry Henry invited me and I remember saying, “Okay, I need to play in this league”. 

‘It’s a funny story with Arsenal. That’s why I called them ‘Netflix’. I know a lot of fans were like, “Wow, you hate us”. First of all, I can’t hate my babies. I used to call them my babies, but it’s banter.’

Evra, a five-time Premier League winner with United, has serious doubts about Arsenal’s capacity to ‘handle the pressure’ when push comes to shove.

After all, the Gunners have finished runners-up in each of the previous three seasons in the English top flight – and Arteta is still yet to win any major silverware since he led the Gunners to FA Cup glory back in 2020.

‘My problem with Arsenal is they’re going to give you hope they’re going to win the league,’ Evra added.

‘You remember they had a good gap on second place and now they’re only a few points in front. 

‘I don’t know if they can handle the pressure. They bought a striker, that’s what was missing, a proper striker. They’ve got everything now. So I don’t think it’s an excuse for them to fail this year.’

Arsenal have transformed into set-piece experts under Arteta over the last two seasons, a trait that has drawn both praise and criticism in equal measure.

According to Evra, the Gunners are at risk of becoming over-reliant on set plays, straying too far away from what made them a frightening and attractive proposition during their peak years under Arsene Wenger.

‘They get players that can make a difference, but they still like scoring goals with a corner kick or set pieces,’ the Frenchman explained.

‘I watched an Arsenal game a few weeks ago and people were saying they were playing good football, but they are playing direct. They don’t even play from the back, that’s not what I want to see.

‘I just have that feeling of Arsenal not being a winning team.’

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