Arsenal head back into action after the international break at the top of the Premier League table followed closely by two of the consistently brilliant teams of the past few years.
In Liverpool and Manchester City, the Gunners are coming up against two sides that have been there and won it all. When it comes to the business end of the season Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola know how to finish off the job, whether it be in the Premier League or Champions League.
Getting over the line is something that Mikel Arteta is yet to do. In the last two seasons when battling for a Champions League spot in 2021/22 or to win the Premier League crown in 2022/23, Arsenal have not achieved what for so long looked like destiny for them. Last season after 28 games Arteta’s side were five points clear of the Citizens yet finished five points behind their title rivals when the season came to a close.
Here we analyse Arsenal’s record in the final stages of the season under the Spaniard and ways they can better manage this part of the campaign so that this team of challengers can finally become champions.
How Arsenal Can Push to Premier League Title
Consistency is Key
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Last season the Gunners were in the driving seat heading into the Spring months and nobody looked like stopping them. With incredible late winners, as seen against Bournemouth, and a winning run of seven wins on the bounce, the North Londoners looked set to win their first title in 19 years.
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However, a disastrous run of just four wins from their last 10 games saw Man City leapfrog them to claim title. In that run, they averaged 1.5 points per game, in comparison the eventual winners who averaged 2.5 in that same run. If Arsenal were to go on to record the same average in the run-in this time around, then they would finish the season on 79 points, a total that would certainly leave them watching on as Liverpool and Man City sprint on towards the trophy.
If Arteta wants to prove that he has built his side to last this term, then there can be no drop-off as we saw last campaign and they will have to go on a run when it matters and put to rest the ghosts of last season and show their worth.
Less Pressure and Champions League Benefits
One of the issues with having a substantial lead going into the business end of the season is a growing expectation for you to finish off the job. If you have managed to steal away at the top of the table, then you have likely been the best team in the league to that point. But that does not matter if you cannot keep it up.
This season is a different story. With just one point separating all three title challengers, they are all in with a great chance of securing the much-coveted Premier League trophy. If the headline match ends in a draw this weekend, then Liverpool will take pole position with a win against Brighton. And vice versa if Arsenal or Manchester City win in their match then they will be in the top spot with nine games to go, showing how tight the gap is. Having Klopp and Guardiola’s sides as their title rivals leaves the North London outfit without the weight of expectation and in most people’s minds, third favourites. This will do this young Gunner’s side who love to have something to prove, the world of good.
Also, in between all this title talk is a massive Champions League matchup against Bayern München with Arsenal’s European campaign still well and truly alive. These extra matches may seem detrimental to Arteta’s push for the title on paper, but it will give them room to refocus their minds in the middle of the domestic mayhem.
Last season it felt like thet had 10 cup finals left, which left them with gruelling week-by-week waits before their next massive game. With Champions League action to turn to after a Premier League game, there will be no time to dwell or celebrate a domestic result as their full attention will have to turn to European action.
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These are the competitions that players like Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli and co. have dreamed of being involved in for years and this has been Arteta’s mission since he stepped into his role in 2019. The reason big money was spent on Declan Rice last summer was to give the squad an edge to get over the line. This is the start of the run-in. It is all to play for now and this Arsenal side has to demonstrate that they deserve to be talked about as one of the elite sides in world football.
