Mikel Arteta has led his Arsenal facet to the summit of the Premier League desk by way of 17 video games they usually at the moment sit 5 factors forward of Manchester City in second. However, with greater than half the season to go, there may be nonetheless loads of time for issues to vary and the Gunners might want to hold their composure if they’re to go on and declare their first title since their 2003/04 invincibles marketing campaign underneath Arsène Wenger.
Below we check out whether or not Arsenal can go on to say the trophy and see if they will battle off the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne at Man City. You can discover the most recent unfold betting odds on the English high flight right here.
Arsène Wenger’s Title Aspirations
Arsène Wenger suffered 14 successive seasons with out successful the Premier League title earlier than exiting the membership in 2018. Arsenal have been determined for the trophy for the reason that 2003/04 season and have longed for the calibre just like that of legends Thierry Henry, Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira, to return to the ranks.
The closest the Gunners final received to successful the title was in 2016 when Leicester City had been topped champions. Arsenal completed in second place that 12 months however the Foxes had been all the time the workforce main the pack. However, there was hope amongst the Arsenal fan base that Claudio Ranieri’s facet would slip up. That wouldn’t be the case.
The 2007/08 season will even be a painful reminiscence for Arsenal, having led the league for nearly two thirds of the 12 months. They solely misplaced three video games all season however a run of only one win in eight matches, starting with Eduardo’s abhorrent leg break on the finish of February in opposition to Birmingham City, noticed them drop to 3rd. They ended up ending behind rivals Chelsea and Manchester United that 12 months.
Arteta’s Tough Start
Arteta has been a polarising determine throughout not solely the fan base, but additionally pundits since his time as Arsenal supervisor. After becoming a member of the Gunners halfway by way of the 2019/20 season, he has guided the membership to 2 eighth-place finishes and one fifth.
Last season, Arsenal noticed a dramatic enchancment and regarded as if they might obtain a high 4 end and return to Champions League soccer for the primary time for the reason that 2016/17 season underneath Wenger. They even sat in fourth up till the thirty sixth spherical of fixtures.
However, essential defeats away to North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United noticed them slip to fifth and meant Spurs pipped them to the ultimate Champions League spot.
Despite the huge developments throughout the Arsenal squad, they couldn’t get it over the road. Question marks had been raised about whether or not Arteta was really the person to take Arsenal ahead, with Gary Neville citing a scarcity of expertise as a key purpose for Arsenal’s failure on the finish of final season.
2022/23 Resurgence
Fast ahead seven months and issues couldn’t look prettier for the Gunners. Arteta has led his facet to the highest of the pile, sitting in a cushty place over City in the meanwhile.
Arsenal have misplaced simply as soon as up to now this time period, dropping factors in simply three video games and have amassed 44 factors. Even with City’s addition of Haaland, who has scored an imposing 21 objectives in simply 16 Premier League video games up to now this time period, they’ve been unable to match as much as the standard of Arsenal.
Pivotal additions within the type of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira have added some a lot wanted high quality and depth to the squad. William Saliba can also be taking part in in his first season underneath Arteta, regardless of being signed by the membership in 2019, and has been immense on the again alongside accomplice Gabriel Magalhaes.
Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey have shaped a strong pairing in the midst of midfield, with the previous endeavor a brand new superior position that has seen him flourish. Meanwhile, newly-appointed captain Martin Ødegaard has been unbelievable, not solely displaying spectacular work fee however an awe-inspiring technical capacity, serving to him make 12 aim contributions within the league up to now.
Moving onto the formidable attacking line, Gabriel Martinelli and Buyako Saka have been ever-present in one of the deadly offensive models within the nation. Saka continues to be liked by the entire nation, not solely acting at an elite normal for membership but additionally showcasing his unbelievable abilities for England on the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Jesus was additionally in high kind earlier than his damage and was tasked with main the road. However, substitute Eddie Nketiah has are available and hit the bottom working, with the 23-year-old scoring 4 objectives in 4 video games in all competitions for the reason that return of Premier League motion. He will likely be a key determine in sustaining Arsenal’s lead on the high.
Can Arsenal go on to win it?
It’s straightforward to overlook simply how a lot of the season is left after the break for the winter World Cup however there are nonetheless 21 video games to go.
Last time period’s finish of season collapse will nonetheless be within the minds of the Arsenal gamers they usually might want to train extra composure this time round if they’re to go on and develop into champions.
Historically, this has additionally been a difficulty, particularly up to now 20 years. Wenger’s sides steadily displayed stunning soccer with a elegant array of expertise however they by no means had fairly sufficient to go on and win the title.
However, Arteta appears to have labored on the toughness of his facet, one thing which Wenger’s groups lacked. The squad has a decent bond, aggressiveness and appears to be dynamic in how they will win video games.
Of course, the magnificent expertise of Pep Guardiola and the City squad stays and lots of will nonetheless again the Citizens to retain the title. The depth of their squad additionally poses a bonus and there appears to be the consensus that Arsenal will run out of steam. Equally, an damage to both Xhaka or Partey will likely be detrimental.
There’s nonetheless time for Arsenal to make some acquisitions within the January switch market and bolster their title ambitions. The return of Emile Smith Rowe will even be a giant enhance.
However, it stays to be seen whether or not Arteta can get one over his previous mentor Pep and convey the Premier League trophy again to Arsenal for the primary time in nearly 20 years.