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Opinion
The run home for the table topping Arsenal FC is in full swing. With nine Premier League fixtures remaining this season, the Gunners sit eight points clear at the summit.
Five games at home are accompanied by four games away from the Emirates Stadium to round out the season for Arsenal. Something magical has been brewing in North London this season – will it be a fairy-tale season or a nightmare finish for Mikel Arteta’s men?
Arsenal have been magnificent this season. Their football, fuelled by youthful exuberance and an air of confidence, has been ruthless and free flowing.
As the youngest squad in the Premier League, the gunners have played with no fear, regardless of occasion or opponent. Led by the always smiling, always scoring Bukayo Saka as well as the brilliant Martin Odegaard, Arsenal have upped their levels.
The acquisitions of Oleksandr Zinchecko and Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City in the summer brought a winning mentality to a club that has been searching for a Premier League title since 2004.
The purchase of Leandro Trossard from Brighton in January was crucial and provided Arteta with an additional attacking weapon to utilise.
Arsenal’s waltz to the Premier League is certainly not a forgone conclusion. Tricky fixtures against Liverpool (away), Chelsea (home), Newcastle (away) and Brighton (home) await. And to top it off? A mouth-watering clash against second placed Manchester City at the Etihad in the last week of April.
This weekend, the Gunners focus their attention towards a Sunday afternoon match against Liverpool. Whilst the reds have struggled this season, Anfield is still the most fearsome and intimidating away assignment for any Premier League side.
“Win at Anfield…and you win the league” said Sir Alex Ferguson. “Suffocating…the worst place in the world to play” said Wayne Rooney.
A loss at Anfield would potentially diminish the gap to Manchester City to just five points. If Manchester City win their game in hand? Only two points would separate Arsenal and City.
(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The Arsenal of years gone by would typically crumble under the intense atmosphere of the Kop at Anfield. Arsenal’s last three Premier League meetings at Anfield have resulted in a 10-2 aggregate victory to Jurgen Klopp’s men. The Arsenal team of 2022/2023 is a different beast however.
Led by Arteta, the gunners have demonstrated greater steeliness in trickier fixtures. The improvement of William Saliba, Ben White, Gabriel and Aaron Ramsdale defensively has allowed the gunners to be more confident against fellow top four sides in the Premiership.
A lot is going in Arsenal’s favour this season. Apart from an injured William Saliba, Mikel Arteta has a full squad at his disposal. Elimination from the Europa League has also proved a blessing in disguise, ridding the gunners of the dreadful away fixtures that European competitions throw up.
Arsenal’s Premier League competitors are also struggling in unison this season. Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham have changed manager’s this season, whilst Klopp’s Liverpool look in need of urgent rejuvenation after five gruelling years of European campaigns.
Arsenal fans have also undergone a transformation this season. The Emirates Stadium has developed into an unbelievable place of solidarity and unity.
Gone are the old days of dissent and friction that the Emirates stadium seemed to regularly participate in. This season, when the Gunners have gone behind at home, the support has ramped up rather than down, with supporters urging their side forward to win at all costs.
Arsenal’s inexperience leading the league may also be telling. For such a big club, it’s remarkable to think that this may be their first title since 2004.
Will their supporter base and management sail to the end of the season anxiety free? And how they will deal with Manchester City snapping at their heels until the final matchday in May?
Either way – we will be one step closer to finding out after their match against Liverpool this weekend.
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