Following Arsenal’s narrow 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, January 25, 2026, legendary former manager Arsène Wenger offered a critical assessment of the Gunners’ defensive performance.
Speaking as a pundit, Wenger specifically called out central defenders William Saliba and Martin Zubimendi (operating in a defensive role), noting that the pair appeared unusually “nervous” and lacked their typical dominance during the high-stakes encounter.
Key defensive critiques
Wenger highlighted two specific tactical errors that contributed to the home side’s first league defeat at the Emirates this season:
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Saliba & Zubimendi’s miscommunication: On United’s second goal, Wenger noted that while Zubimendi made an initial error, Saliba failed to provide the necessary tactical support. Instead of staying behind to cover, Saliba moved in front of his teammate, leaving the defense vulnerable.
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General nervousness: For the first time this season, Wenger felt the central defensive unit looked unsettled, lacking the composure that has defined Arsenal’s title charge so far.
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Reliance on set-pieces: He observed that while Manchester United’s goals were “well built up with good cohesion,” Arsenal’s goals were more a product of “power and fighting” on corners rather than clean, technical play.
Praise for Michael Carrick
While critical of his former club, Wenger was full of praise for United’s interim manager Michael Carrick. He noted that Carrick has found a “good formula” that balances defensive stability with a high technical level, particularly in how the team maintained composure to find a winner after Arsenal had fought back to 2-2.
The defeat ends Arsenal’s unbeaten home record for the 2025/2026 season and puts additional pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side as they enter the final stages of the title race.
