Arsenal FC can crown its strong season with two titles. However, there have been two recent bitter setbacks that have raised doubts about the team’s nerve – once again.
Mikel Arteta almost seemed a bit defiant when he had to explain what was actually almost impossible to explain. His team, the Arsenal FC, League leader in the Premier League and long-term winner in the current Champions League season (9 wins, 1 draw), was just in the quarter-finals against second division club Southampton FC (1:2). FA Cups eliminated – and thus caused the next cup defeat.
Already in League Cuparound two weeks earlier, the “Gunners” – but only in the final – Manchester City (0:2) have to admit defeat. “The best phase of the season lies ahead of us. If this is a difficult phase, then there are many others that are much more difficult.”said Arteta.
Long wait for title
But the latest defeat against the Saints is likely to give the fans of the traditional club from north London a much bigger stomach ache. Because the big question that has been hanging over the Gunners for many years is: When will the club finally win a major title again?
In the Premier League it has been 22 years since they were last able to lift the winner’s trophy. Far too long a time for the club’s high demands and investments. Most recently they were runners-up three times under Arteta. They have never been able to win the Champions League at Arsenal, despite often good conditions.
Lots to gain
Not least because of the long dry spell in the domestic league and a few narrowly missed opportunities, Arsenal on the British island is considered to be the master of throwing away titles at the last second. They have a reputation for not having the best nerves.
The great fear of a new repetition is likely to creep over the club’s supporters again. Arteta was asked how he wanted to avoid a dip in form at this worst possible time of the season: “By trusting our players and trusting in what we do.”
Still on track in the league and premier class
So far, the previous approach has worked very well. In the Premier League, Arteta’s team is nine points ahead of Manchester City with eight games to go, but they still have to play a catch-up game against Crystal Palace.
In the Champions League, the Bayer Leverkusen conqueror is also the big favorite in the quarter-final first leg at Sporting Lisbon. So there’s still a lot to gain for the Gunners – but also a lot more to lose.
Mikel Arteta can rely on Kai Havertz, who has been injured for a long time, in the final spurt of the season
Pressing as an opposing chance to win
“We will play as we have in recent weeks and only implement the adjustments that each game requires. Above all, we want to keep the pace, attitude and energy at the highest possible level.”said Arteta after the defeat against Southampton.
What is striking is that the Gunners played against opponents who put them under constant pressure and pressed early. Due to the limited opportunities for development, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Co. were unable to use their fast counter-attacking game as usual. Above all, they were no longer able to use their greatest strength, the set-pieces, with which they drove their opponents to distraction this season, so successfully.
The upcoming premier class opponents from Lisbon will also have observed this closely, whose game is also to disrupt the opponent’s build-up right from the start. And under coach Rui Borges they also love to use the quick switching game as a tactical tool. The approaches of both coaches are similar. So it will depend on who can implement this approach better over two games.
Early season finale
It doesn’t take long before the next showdown for the Gunners is on the agenda. Arsenal FC have to compete in the early league season finale at Manchester City on Sunday, April 19th.
In the best case scenario, the gap for the Citizens could be reduced to three points with five league games remaining. However, the game between Manchester and Crystal Palace has not yet been rescheduled.
Out of four possible titles, two remain for Arsenal FC. The big question remains: will the Gunners’ nerves hold up this time?
