Mikel Arteta has reportedly admitted that Manchester United are one of the teams he fears most in the Premier League title race, with the Arsenal manager increasingly aware that the Red Devils could emerge as a serious threat to his side’s hopes of defending their crown.
The dramatic claim has immediately generated huge reaction among supporters, particularly because Arsenal enter the new campaign as reigning Premier League champions after finally ending their 22-year wait for the title last season. Arteta’s team finished the 2025/26 campaign seven points clear of Manchester City, giving the Gunners enormous confidence heading into their title defence. However, despite Arsenal’s success, the competition is expected to be significantly tougher this season, with Manchester United under Michael Carrick looking determined to return to the top of English football.
According to the reported comments, Arteta believes United possess the quality, mentality and attacking threat required to cause serious problems in the title race. Rather than dismissing Manchester United as outsiders, the Arsenal boss is said to be treating them as one of the clubs capable of challenging Arsenal for the Premier League trophy.
The concern is understandable when considering the history between the two clubs. Manchester United remain one of the most successful teams in English football, and their enormous fan base, financial strength and tradition of competing for major trophies mean that they can never be completely ignored in a title race. Even during difficult periods, United have repeatedly shown that they can produce performances capable of changing the entire complexion of a Premier League campaign.
Arteta knows this better than most.
During the previous campaign, Manchester United defeated Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates in a result that had major implications for the title race. Arsenal had entered that match as leaders, but United punished their mistakes and secured a memorable victory. Arteta later admitted that Arsenal had been punished for several unusual errors during the game.
That result demonstrated something important to Arteta: Manchester United do not necessarily need to dominate possession or control every moment of a match to hurt Arsenal. They can remain disciplined, absorb pressure and then exploit opportunities when they appear.
For a manager attempting to retain the Premier League title, that is a dangerous quality.
The new Manchester United under Carrick is also being viewed differently from the teams that struggled in previous seasons. The club are attempting to establish greater stability, and Carrick has been given the responsibility of building a side capable of competing consistently at the highest level.
The Premier League itself identified Manchester United as a potential title challenger before the beginning of the 2026/27 campaign, asking whether this could finally be the year United challenge for the championship again.
That expectation has only increased the pressure on Arsenal.
Arteta’s biggest concern may not necessarily be United’s position in the table at this early stage, but the possibility that Carrick’s team could improve rapidly as the season progresses. A title race is not decided after two or three matches. It is decided through consistency, squad depth, injuries, difficult away fixtures and the ability to handle pressure during the final months of the campaign.
That is where Manchester United could become particularly dangerous.
If United can maintain momentum while improving their performances, they could transform themselves from outsiders into genuine contenders. Arsenal, meanwhile, will have to cope with the additional pressure that comes with being champions.
Last season, Arsenal were chasing the title. This season, everybody will be chasing them.
That psychological difference could prove significant.
Arteta has already acknowledged the challenge of defending the Premier League crown. Arsenal entered the new campaign as favourites, with the club hoping to become only the fourth team in Premier League history to retain the title in consecutive seasons.
However, the presence of Manchester United makes that mission considerably more complicated.
United have players capable of deciding matches individually, while the club’s size means that confidence can quickly spread through the squad if results begin going their way. A few important victories against fellow title contenders could completely change expectations around Carrick’s team.
This is precisely why Arteta is reportedly unwilling to underestimate them.
The Arsenal manager is believed to understand that United’s biggest weapon could be their unpredictability. Unlike Arsenal, who now carry the burden of defending a championship, United can potentially approach the title race with less pressure. They have an opportunity to chase the leaders, improve throughout the season and put pressure on Arsenal without carrying the same expectations from the opening day.
That could make them extremely dangerous.
There is also the historical rivalry between Arsenal and Manchester United. For decades, meetings between the two clubs have been among the biggest fixtures in English football. From title battles involving Arsène Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson to more recent encounters, the rivalry has repeatedly produced matches filled with tension, controversy and high stakes.
Arteta is therefore unlikely to view United as an ordinary competitor.
Every time Arsenal face Manchester United, the match carries additional significance. A victory for Arsenal would strengthen their title defence, while a United victory could provide Carrick’s side with enormous belief.
The reported Arteta admission has therefore been interpreted by some supporters as a sign of respect rather than genuine fear. The Arsenal manager may simply be acknowledging what many observers already know: Manchester United have the resources and history to become a major threat if everything comes together.
And that is exactly what makes the title race so exciting.
Manchester City remain a major force despite entering a new era following Pep Guardiola’s departure, while Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa and other ambitious clubs are also expected to compete for the European places and potentially the title. Arsenal cannot afford to focus exclusively on Manchester United.
But if United begin collecting victories consistently, the pressure on Arsenal could become enormous.
Imagine a situation in which Arsenal are sitting at the top of the table while United are only a few points behind. Every dropped point by the champions would suddenly become a major story. Every United victory would increase the pressure. Every Arsenal defeat would give Carrick’s side an opportunity to close the gap.
That is the kind of scenario Arteta will want to avoid.
The Arsenal boss will know that retaining the Premier League title is often harder than winning it for the first time. Opponents study the champions more closely, fixtures become more difficult and every team wants the opportunity to defeat the reigning champions.
Manchester United, in particular, will be determined to prove that they belong at the top again.
The Red Devils also have the advantage of knowing that Arsenal can no longer surprise anyone. The Gunners are now the benchmark. Their tactics are familiar, their key players are known and opponents understand exactly what they are trying to achieve.
United’s challenge will be to exploit that.
Carrick’s side will likely look at Arsenal’s weaknesses from last season and attempt to reproduce the approach that caused Arteta’s team problems. United already demonstrated that they can hurt Arsenal by remaining compact and taking advantage of mistakes.
That victory will remain an important psychological reference point whenever the two teams meet again.
For Arsenal, the message from Arteta will therefore be simple: Manchester United must be respected.
The Gunners may be champions, but the title is not guaranteed.
Arteta has spent years building Arsenal into one of England’s strongest teams, and last season finally delivered the reward for that work. Now he must prove that his team can remain at the summit.
The emergence of Manchester United as a potential challenger would make that mission even more difficult.
If the reported comments are accurate, Arteta’s admission should not necessarily be interpreted as weakness. Instead, it could demonstrate the level of respect he has for Carrick and his Manchester United squad.
A manager who underestimates United could pay a heavy price.
Arteta knows that.
And with the Premier League title race already beginning to attract enormous attention, Manchester United’s resurgence could turn the battle for the championship into one of the most fascinating contests of the season.
Arsenal may be the defending champions.
But according to the reported warning from Arteta, Manchester United could be the team they need to fear the most.