Mikel Arteta's antics on the touchline have worked against Arsenal, claims Graeme Souness, with the pressure now on the Gunners.
The north Londoners have, for almost the entire season thus far, sat top of the Premier League following a sensational start. However their impressive form has been hit in recent weeks and they've gone three games without a win - losing two of them.
Their latest loss came at the hands of Manchester City, who secured a 3-1 win at the Emirates on Wednesday night. The champions produced a ruthless display with their victory taking them top on goal difference, albeit Arsenal have a game in hand and can return to the summit.
The onus is now on Arsenal, however, with the Gunners being seriously questioned for the first time this season as Arteta and his young squad aim to defy the odds. The Spaniard has been particularly animated in his technical area, and his behaviour has been cited as a negative influence.
Souness wrote in the Daily Mail: "Arsenal have looked a very nervy bunch for a whole month now – and in part that stems from Mikel Arteta and his antics on the touchline. The wild celebrations. The falling out with rival managers. The conduct towards officials. All of this will have had an impact on his players, both live and when they've seen it played back.
"Arteta has gone overboard because this is all new to him. As a player, he bordered on being son-in-law material – you wouldn't be unhappy if you walked through the door with your daughter – and I can never remember him aggressively going after anyone. Yet he's now turning up on a matchday with an angry head on. I don't believe this is helping the cause."
Arsenal need to respond when they travel to Aston Villa this weekend, when they will have the chance to go top as they play before City, who take on Nottingham Forest just hours later.
Arteta is involved in a title race for the first time in his relatively short managerial career. The Gunners were expected to challenge for the top four this term, but have had to re-evaluate their ambitions after taking 50 points from their first 19 games to establish themselves as frontrunners.
Despite their reverse on Wednesday, the Arsenal boss maintained he is more confident than ever that they will claim a first league title since 2004.
"I have more belief (to win the league) because I see a team going head-to-head with them," he said.
"You have to go to the next one, and in three days, we have another game. I have more belief in my players. The atmosphere and performance were really good if you take away that we gave Manchester City three goals. I don't know what more I can demand from the players to match that level. They are the best team in the world, and we matched that level."
