{"id":321650,"date":"2026-04-20T13:01:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T07:31:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=321650"},"modified":"2026-04-20T13:01:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T07:31:14","slug":"freddie-ljungberg-addresses-arsenal-bottlers-label-after-tough-man-city-loss-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/20\/freddie-ljungberg-addresses-arsenal-bottlers-label-after-tough-man-city-loss-football\/","title":{"rendered":"Freddie Ljungberg addresses Arsenal ‘bottlers’ label after ‘tough’ Man City loss | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Mikel Arteta watched his team slip to defeat on the Etihad on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg admits defeat to Manchester City is a giant psychological blow which might be tough for his former team to get well from.<\/p>\n

The Gunners suffered an enormous setback within the Premier League title race on Sunday as they were beaten 2-1 by their closest rivals on the Etihad.<\/p>\n

Rayan Cherki opened the scoring with an excellent early goal, before Kai Havertz equalised with a bizarre one just two minutes later.<\/p>\n

The German charged down City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and the Italian\u2019s attempted clearance spooned into the back of the web.<\/p>\n

There was not much in it and each teams created probabilities, but Erling Haaland accomplished the scoring on 65 minutes, ending off a counter-attack in typically ruthless fashion.<\/p>\n

Arsenal had a probability to attract level again on the death but Havertz put his free header within the penalty box over the bar.<\/p>\n

Mikel Arteta\u2019s team stays three points clear at the highest of the table, but Manchester City have a game in hand and may leapfrog the Gunners in the event that they win at Burnley on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

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Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland are back on the right track for the title (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ljungberg, who won two Premier League titles with Arsenal, admits the loss might be a tough one to take mentally and the prospect of one other failed title race might be difficult for the players to take care of.<\/p>\n

\u2018I believe it’ll be big,\u2019 the Swede told ViaPlay<\/a> when asked how big a psychological blow the defeat might be for Arsenal. <\/p>\n

\u2018In fact they\u2019re skilled football players they usually must take care of it. But they\u2019ve been on top for thus, so long they usually\u2019ve had history from different seasons, been called \u201cbottlers\u201d.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Obviously I live in London, they\u2019ve been talking about this now for the last two or three weeks. Their fans have been nervous, it\u2019s been a talking point.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s tough for them, but at the identical time, you’ve gotten to change on and hope City drop points somewhere. The major thing is you focus on your individual game, you are taking the points that\u2019s needed if City slip up. But what City did today, I used to be impressed.\u2019<\/p>\n

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, who also played for Manchester City at the top of his profession, feels Arsenal are failing to bridge the experience gap to their rivals relating to winning titles.<\/p>\n

There now’s a really real probability that Arteta\u2019s side will finish second for the fourth season on the bounce.<\/p>\n

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Arsenal face yet more Premier League title disappointment (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018The experience in this era is every part,\u2019 said the enduring goalkeeper. \u2018Understanding that even when there’s a bit of bump here and there, you possibly can still win it.<\/p>\n

\u2018Arsenal don\u2019t have it. It\u2019s 4 consecutive years they find themselves in this case they usually still haven\u2019t managed to get it over the road.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Gunners still have five Premier League games to play and there stays the prospect that the destination of the title could come right down to goal difference.<\/p>\n

After City go to Burnley on Wednesday night, Arsenal are next in motion at home against Newcastle on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Teddy Sheringham insists Marcus Rashford \u2018didn’t deserve\u2019 move from Man Utd to Barcelona<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: \u2018Best player in that league\u2019: Former Chelsea star urged to make Man Utd move<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Gary Neville says Mikel Arteta was \u2018hampered enormously\u2019 by two Arsenal stars in Man City defeat<\/span><\/p>\n

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