Do you bear in mind the fairytale ending to Leicester Metropolis’s 2015 Premier League season? Sure, they went on to create historical past however earlier than that, everybody anticipated Claudio Ranieri’s males to finally crumble and go plummeting down the desk. As we all know now, that didn’t find yourself occurring and the Foxes went on to win the entire thing, giving the world one of the feel-good moments of the century.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have the identical vibes this season. Earlier than the season began, nobody anticipated Arsenal to prime the Premier League desk. They have been even hardly thought-about prime 4 contenders with consultants mentioning that Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham have much better squad steadiness than the Gunners.
The North London membership, nevertheless, has most well-liked to present its solutions on the sector. They’ve had a blistering begin to the league, having misplaced simply as soon as in 17 matches. They tied twice and have received 14 occasions as they maintained their agency grip on prime of the Premier League desk.
Arsenal’s Thomas Partey shoots at aim throughout the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal and on the AMEX Group Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. (AP Photograph/Alastair Grant)
They’ve been enjoying stunning soccer with gamers like Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, the injured Gabriel Jesus, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard all stepping up and contributing to the trigger. And in a really very long time, Arsenal really feel like a crew that has a real likelihood to go all the best way.
However glory remains to be a great distance off and in contrast to different seasons, this version of the Premier League is somewhat completely different because of the World Cup break. The month-long event has already had a big effect on Arsenal’s plans because it resulted within the aforementioned ligament harm to Jesus. One of many signings of the summer season, the Brazilian has scored 5 occasions this season after coming from Manchester Metropolis. This may not appear like a lot however his contribution in different areas of the pitch like maintain up play and defensive duties can’t be overstated sufficient. In his absence, Arteta wanted his alternative striker to step up. And Eddie Nketiah has stepped up all proper. The 23-year-old English ahead has scored in each matches after the restart, towards West Ham in addition to Brighton. However you’ll be able to’t assist however marvel if such a fast repair would possibly work in the long term.
Arsenal’s Achilles Heel got here to the fore on Tuesday night time after they got here up towards a Newcastle aspect which had lined as much as frustrate Arteta’s males. And so they succeeded of their process with the Arsenal forwards struggling to discover a solution to put the ball within the internet. The match ended 0-0 however confirmed that even Arsenal, with all their attacking aptitude, might be halted with the proper technique. With two video games towards 2nd positioned Manchester Metropolis and Manchester United arising ultimately, this comparatively younger Arsenal aspect have to maintain their cool in the event that they hope to go all the best way.
The subsequent few weeks will likely be a testing time for the Gunners as they’ve a troublesome run of fixtures arising. Aside from the aforementioned Metropolis and United clashes, they may even should play Tottenham and have Europa commitments. Their closest challengers Manchester Metropolis have squad depth that can be sure that they emerge unscathed from this congested interval whereas Arsenal might need to rethink their technique and purchase or mortgage a few gamers with a view to keep within the combine.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, proper, celebnrates with teammaters after scoring his isdes 4th aim throughout the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal and on the AMEX Group Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022. (AP Photograph/Alastair Grant)
One factor that can maintain Arsenal buoyant will likely be that their comparatively younger squad has the drive and the abilities to go all the best way. Nobody represents this greater than their midfield engine Martin Odegaard. Whereas his fellow Norwegian Erling Haaland has been within the limelight for the reason that get go, Odegaard has been quietly going about his job, making certain that Arsenal’s midfield retains ticking.
Nevertheless, the 24-year-old has been the discuss of the city since restart after his electrical efficiency towards Brighton on New Yr’s Eve. He scored a aim in that match however his help to Martinelli has been the one second of the match that has been grabbing the headlines. Stationed in his personal half, Odegaard pinged an inch-perfect ball into the trail of Martinelli who left Tariq Lamptey in his wake and scored. Odegaard’s gameplay has even drawn reward from United legend Rio Ferdinand who in contrast the playmaker to Mozart and prime Mesut Ozil. It’s actually exhausting to think about how Actual Madrid let this wonderkid go for simply £30 million.
Historical past is on Arteta’s aspect, no crew with the present haul of factors at this stage of the season has did not win the title. The Gunners have a good shot of catching lightning within the bottle after 19 years. Lesser groups have crumbled and misplaced their heads watching their title hopes go up in smoke. That could be a pitfall that this younger Arsenal squad will hope to keep away from because the street forward will get extra daunting.
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