Mikel Arteta's Gamble: Will It Cost Arsenal in the Title Race?

In a glaring contrast to Liverpool's tactical flexibility, Mikel Arteta's decision to deploy a near full-strength Arsenal side against Manchester United in the FA Cup may leave his squad at a disadvantage as the fixtures become increasingly daunting. While Liverpool manager Arne Slot expertly rotated his lineup and cruised to a 4-0 victory over Accrington Stanley, Arteta may be regretting his choice as he now faces a string of challenging matches.

Following their impressive cup triumph, Liverpool is not only invigorated but has also managed to rest key players like Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz, preparing them for a crucial encounter against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Conversely, Arsenal’s exhaustive battle with Manchester United stretched into extra-time, leaving the Gunners fatigued as they prepare for their intense North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.

Currently sitting six points behind Liverpool in the league table, Arsenal's situation is complicated by injuries to star players such as Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Ethan Nwaneri. Although Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, and Jurrien Timber returned for the match against United, the injury woes continue to plague the squad.

Things went from bad to worse during the cup tie when Gabriel Jesus was stretchered off following a heavy collision, just as he was finding his rhythm in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard suffered an ankle scare, although he was able to continue playing. The loss of Jorginho to injury in extra-time further exacerbates Arsenal's problems, straining the depth of their squad.

With a succession of daunting fixtures ahead—including clashes against Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Newcastle United—Arteta's wearied squad is at risk of burnout just as the season reaches its critical midpoint. The mounting injuries and laden schedule could have severe implications for Arsenal's title aspirations.

As Arsenal grapples with these challenges, one question remains: Will Arteta's heavy reliance on his starting players and the high-stakes decisions of this stage in the competition pay off or cost the Gunners dearly? Fans and pundits alike are left to wonder if these trials will prove decisive in the race for the Premier League title come May.