Super Sunday was just that for Michael Carrick’s Manchester United. It wasn’t super for Arsenal, or their title race hopes. Despite going ahead in the game, Mikel Arteta’s men weren’t able to secure a point, marking the first time that they had lost at home all season and the first time in 121 matches since they conceded three at home.
It wasn’t just the manner of defeat for Arsenal that was worrying; it was the tactical ineptitude of Arteta against a relative novice in Carrick. An admission of panic is never more obvious than making four substitutes after 58 minutes in reaction to going 2-1 behind. The Gunners appeared to rely on set pieces to create chances, and the open play chances they did have fell to an out-of-form Viktor Gyokeres.
Are cracks beginning to show for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal in the title race, or is this just a case of losing to the better team on the day?
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Crunch Time in the Race for the Title
Despite there being 15 games to go this season, this feels like a big period. After Manchester City’s win over Wolves on Saturday, the gap between first and second is just four points. It’s also a four point gap between third and first, with Aston Villa also sitting on 46 points.
The key in this title race may come down to experience, something this Arsenal side doesn’t have when it comes to winning trophies and, crucially, something the current Manchester City side has in abundance. Let’s not forget that four of the last five Premier League titles have been won by Pep Guardiola’s men.
Will Arsenal have enough in the tank to go late into the season, grinding out results in the Premier League whilst still competing in all four competitions? We have to remember that they are still in the Champions League, League Cup and FA Cup, with ambitions of going far in all four competitions. Has the ‘fall off’ already started for Arsenal? They’ve taken just two points from their last three games and looked below par since the beginning of December.
Champions League Distractions
They are in a comfortable position in the Champions League, knowing they will finish either first or second, depending on their result at home to Kairat Almaty on Wednesday night. Expect Mikel Arteta to rotate heavily in this one to focus on the upcoming Premier League fixture, away to the in-form Leeds United.
Luckily for Arsenal, Manchester City aren’t in such a comfortable position in the Champions League. They currently sit 11th on 13 points. To avoid having to compete in a playoff game, they must finish in the top eight. Last week’s 3-1 loss to Bodo Glimt made their job much more difficult, and it appears that they will have to settle for a playoff place. This plays into the hands of Arsenal in the Premier League title race as City must play more games, shifting their focus away from the league, albeit momentarily.
Aston Villa are in a similar position to Arsenal, albeit in the Europa League. They sit second in the Europa League with 18 points and have secured qualification.
The Next Five Premier League Fixtures Could be Crucial
We know that football isn’t played on paper. With that being said, it’s difficult not to look at the fixtures on paper and anticipate how the title race may shape up.
Arsenal’s next five fixtures see them face Leeds, Sunderland, Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. The league leaders should be taking 13 points from those five games. Leeds, Sunderland and Brentford are teams that potential league champions should be beating. Anything can happen in a derby, but Tottenham’s form suggests that Arsenal will have no problems with their North London rivals. The Chelsea game is the most difficult (on paper), however, under Liam Rosenior, they are still an unknown entity.
Manchester City face Tottenham, Liverpool, Fulham, Newcastle and Leeds in their next five. Similar to Arsenal, they should pick up 13 points. The Liverpool game is, on paper, the most difficult, however, Arne Slot’s team are woefully out of form.
Aston Villa have the most home games (3) as they entertain Brentford, before going away to Bournemouth. They then face Brighton, Leeds and Wolves. Bournemouth away could prove tricky for Unai Emery’s men, as could a rejuvenated Wolves in a Midlands derby. With that being said, 10 points in a reasonable total from those five matches.
Pivitol Games
This season could come down to one or two matches. Arsenal face Manchester City in gameweek 33, which is scheduled for April 18th at the Etihad. If Arsenal drop points prior to this, Manchester City could secure top spot at home with five matches to go.
The final game of the season could cause mayhem in the title race when Manchester City will entertain Aston Villa. This match could go either way and most importantly, could determine the Premier League champions.
In a season where many teams have underperformed, the Premier League is finally heating up.
Featured image courtesy of IMAGO / NurPhoto
