Monday’s briefing: Give me strength – Arteta asks for more after Arsenal wobble

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta accepted criticism of his side’s mental strength after a 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United dented their Premier League title chances.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery played down his side’s title chances after victory at Newcastle and Celtic boss Martin O’Neill was critical of VAR after a draw at William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts.

Women’s Super League leaders Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the table by beating London City Lionesses and Liverpool have pulled out of transfer talks with Tottenham over Andy Robertson.

Mikel Arteta accepts Arsenal must show mental strength after shock loss

Mikel Arteta had no problem with former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira questioning his team’s mental strength after their Premier League title hopes were dealt a huge blow by Manchester United.

The 3-2 defeat at the Emirates was the Gunners’ third winless game in a row in the league and meant their lead at the top is down to four points after a damaging weekend on which Manchester City and Aston Villa both won.

After Matheus Cunha’s brilliant winner, Sky Sports pundit and three-time title winner Vieira said there were “questions about the mental strength of the team”.

Asked for his response, Arteta said: “That’s fine. We accept every opinion, where it’s coming from. They have the right reason to say it. At the end, we have to show the mental strength that we have on the pitch when it comes to a match day.”

Unai Emery plays down title talk after Villa’s impressive win

Unai Emery will only consider Aston Villa as Premier League title contenders if they are still in the mix with three games to go.

Villa cemented themselves in third place, level on points with Manchester City, with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday – a first at St James’ Park since April 2005 – but Emery, who insisted they were not top-five contenders after last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat by Everton, was refusing to be carried away.

He said: “Next week we are playing against Brentford at home. Last week we lost and last week, no one asked me about contenders for the title. We lost against Everton, ‘no, not now’; and we are winning today, ‘yes now’.

“OK, calm. Keep balance is the only objective I have in my mind, and the only way I know is work every day and if you are performing consistently, maybe you can better and maybe on day 35, we can speak differently.”

Martin O’Neill riled by Auston Trusty red card in draw at Hearts

Martin O’Neill was riled by the decision to send off Auston Trusty after 10-man Celtic were pegged back by William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts in an exhilarating 2-2 draw at Tynecastle.

In a match the defending champions could not afford to lose, they led twice before Claudio Braga fired home an 87th-minute equaliser.

Trusty was sent off with Celtic leading 2-1 in the 77th minute after being deemed to have denied Landry Kabore a goal-scoring opportunity following a VAR intervention, having initially been shown a yellow card.

“I did have an argument with the red card,” Celtic boss O’Neill said. “The referee has given a yellow card. Obviously, VAR’s re-refereeing the game.”

Manchester City extend lead at top of WSL

Khadija Shaw scored a late winner as Manchester City extended their lead at the Women’s Super League summit with a 2-1 win over London City Lionesses.

Kerolin put the league leaders in front, but London City deservedly levelled through Freya Godfrey.

However, the visitors showed their strength in the final stages as Shaw struck the winner to send the team nine points clear at the top after second-placed Chelsea were beaten by Arsenal on Saturday.

Andy Robertson to stay at Liverpool

Liverpool have pulled out of talks with Tottenham over their approach for veteran full-back Andy Robertson.

The Londoners made their move late last week as under-pressure boss Thomas Frank sought to add some much-needed experience to his squad.

Liverpool listened to the approach in recognition of Robertson’s contribution to the club in the last eight and a half years and the fact he is out of contract in the summer.

However, the Press Association understands the club have decided against continuing negotiations over the Scotland captain, who turns 32 in March, after considering their options. Robertson had not asked for a move.

What’s on today?

Leeds resume their Premier League survival battle with a first trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to take on Everton.

Sky Bet Championship leaders Coventry will bid to increase their advantage at the top of the table to six points with victory at Norwich.