The Gunners have relinquished the lead in the Premier League after losing to City and several setbacks.
By Juan Yague.
The comedown came. The fairy tale ended. Arsenal are once again confronted with their worst memories and nightmares. One point in the last nine possible and the possibility of winning the Premier League more in jeopardy than ever. But what happens to make all this possible?
A defeat to Everton, which was in decline at the time, an aphasic draw at home to Brentford and the defeat, also at home, against Manchester City. Encounter rivals with different styles and features. A bump, a bad run. This is the beginning of the end.
No need to get dramatic. Arteta’s side are still second in the standings and have one game less than rivals Sky Blues. And the team still has the green shoots it had before the end of January and paradise was on the nearest horizon. The team is buzzing with young talent, assets have entered the January market for the bank such as Kiwior, Jorginho and Trossard and the atmosphere at the Emirates remains the best the Gunners have had since moving from Highbury to their current stadium.
However, It is striking that a team that solved the hectic month of January of English football with marble efficiencys, who defeated Manchester United and Tottenham with astonishing superiority in the North London derby, is unable to win in three consecutive games. Bad times are part of the season. And this is the worst in Highbury&Islington this course. Depending on the resilience shown in the near future, it will be possible to see if Arsenal are a team that can aim to fight for the Premier League every year or if this has all been a mirage.
Difficult matches remain, such as visits to the Etihad, Anfield and St-James’ Park. But that will be mid-April. Until then, there will be a series of meetings that must spur or end a candidate who wants to touch glory again. Until then, rivals such as Leicester, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Leeds will determine the real chances of achieving the feat.
It all starts on Saturday with a visit to Aston Villa. But Arsenal’s true enemy is himself. A club with a midget mentality since the turn of the century and with continuous trauma to deal with. Although it is already known that no sailor has become an expert in fishing on calm seas.
Source: Goal