Bukayo Saka has called on Arsenal to show resilience and unity after a painful home defeat to Manchester United ended another commanding run at the Emirates Stadium.
The Premier League leaders were edged out 3-2 in a pulsating contest, with Matheus Cunha’s late strike proving decisive and leaving Arsenal searching for an immediate response.
For Saka, the disappointment was compounded by a personal frustration that continues to linger. The winger has now gone 13 Premier League matches without finding the net, with his last goal in the competition coming against Brentford on December 3, 2025.
While his overall influence remains central to Arsenal’s attacking play, the absence of goals has mirrored the team’s inability to seize control at key moments in high-stakes matches.
The encounter itself swung back and forth, reflecting the fine margins at the top of the table. Arsenal enjoyed periods of dominance but failed to turn control into a decisive advantage, allowing United to remain within reach before striking late.
Cunha’s winner, three minutes from time, silenced the home crowd and brought an abrupt end to Arsenal’s formidable home record this season.
Speaking after the match, Saka was candid in his assessment of both the performance and the mood within the dressing room. He said: “I think we didn’t show our best level for the full game, which is frustrating.
“It’s such a big game with a lot riding on it. Obviously, the Emirates has been a place where we’ve been so strong this season.
“It’s a tough loss to take, but we have to stick together. We go again next week; we’ll try and get back to winning ways.
“In football, you can score, you can concede – it’s your reaction after it. Obviously, we would have wanted to make it 2-0, but we didn’t. Overall, we’re just not too happy with the performance.”
Despite the setback, Arsenal remain well placed in the title race, though the result served as a reminder of the relentless standards required to stay ahead.
