Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has said Arsenal could be the main reason they fail to win the Premier League title this season. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel after Arsenal’s 3-2 home loss to Manchester United, Ferdinand said the Gunners look tense and lack the fearless attitude needed to finish the job. According to him, Arsenal have the quality but are holding themselves back.

Ferdinand explained that Arsenal need more confidence and freedom in their play. He said the team looks too cautious and “robotic,” instead of playing with belief and aggression. In his view, the players should stop overthinking and play with the mindset of champions who want to cross the line no matter what. He added that Arsenal seem restricted rather than expressive on the pitch.

The former England defender also questioned Mikel Arteta’s approach, saying the Arsenal manager has played most of the season with the “handbrake on.” Ferdinand believes Arteta’s cautious style limits the team’s attacking power, especially in big moments. He pointed out that Arsenal often dominate games but fail to fully take control when it matters most.

Ferdinand further noted that Bukayo Saka has not been at his best in recent matches and appears to have lost some of his strong connection with Martin Ødegaard. He said Saka is still important but needs to be more involved and more aggressive. With Arsenal’s lead now cut to four points, Ferdinand warned that unless they change their mentality, they risk letting the title slip away.