Why Arsenal FC can become champions this time

The Arsenal FC is in English Premier League before its second consecutive fall championship. Due to several positive developments, the title is also possible this season.

That he Manchester City The coaches of the clubs from the USA have repeatedly emphasized in recent weeks that they should never be written off Premier League – including Pep Guardiola himself. Because with all the qualities that the Triplewinner of last season, it is often forgotten that City doesn’t win its titles every time because it pulls away from the start. This is proven by statistics from the Premier League alone.

Of the past 20 clubs that were in first place at Christmas, 13 also became champions at the end of the season. But alone Man City In the last six years, they managed to overtake the leader three times in the second half of the season. Like in the 2022/23 season at FC arsenal.

Big pain for Arteta

It was an experience that Mikel Arteta would have preferred not to have had in his coaching career. His team made a breakthrough in the first half of the season with 50 points (out of a possible 57), but was then defeated in the season finale Manchester intercepted. “This hurts deeply“said Arteta when he had to congratulate Guardiola and Co. again on the championship.

The “Gunners“-Coach had to admit: “This is the best team in the world with the best coach in the world. We had to accept that and shake the master’s hand.” But he was already looking ahead and was aiming for the championship for the current season. “If that weren’t the case, I wouldn’t be sitting here“, said Arteta at the time. About six months later, many things are reminiscent of the previous season. However, with more positive signs.

Strong business in summer

Arsenal spent Christmas top of the table again, with a win against West Ham United On Thursday (December 28th, 2023, from 9:15 p.m. in the Sportschau live ticker), the Londoners can also wrap up the autumn championship. Arsenal would then have 43 points, significantly fewer points than a year ago, but have developed in several ways so that the title seems even more realistic than last season.

That starts with the transfer period in the summer. Arsenal was one of the top five clubs with the highest spending in Europe, achieving it Declan Rice (bought from West Ham for almost 120 million euros) and goalkeeper David Raya (initially from FC Brentford borrowed, purchase option for 35 million euros already drawn after the season) two absolute strokes of luck.

To this end, the club extended the contracts of top performers Martin Odegaard, William SalibaBukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdalewho despite his outstanding last season is only a substitute keeper behind Raya.

“Not plan A, B or C, but A1, A2, A3”

These players not only committed themselves to the club, but also proved in the first half of the season that they had personally made a step forward. Saliba forms with the Brazilian Gabriel Magalhaes the most stable defensive duo in the Premier League, Odegaard is now considered one of the best playmakers in Europe and Saka and Martinelli no longer score as often, but have improved enormously in defense.

That was also necessary in the development that Arteta wanted to initiate. Last season the “Gunners” stood above all for spectacle, now they have mastered almost the entire range of football tactics. “It’s not plan A, B or C, but A1, A2, A3…“Arteta said to”The Athletic“. The result: Arsenal has to deal with FC Liverpool the best defense in the league (16 goals conceded) and have already won six competitive games 1-0. Among other things, in the league against Manchester City.

Rice creates excitement

In this game, as well as the 1-1 draw in Liverpool, Arteta’s team proved their title credentials. “It was an incredible game of football, one of the most intense and hectic games I’ve seen in 20 years in this league“Arteta said afterwards and was proud that his team could withstand it.”It was great to see the boys ready to play at this level. That they have the courage, the determination and the faith.“

Despite all the team progress, it should not be ignored that one individual player makes a big difference. The obligation of Rice turns out to be a bigger and bigger win for Arsenal from week to week. In Liverpool, the English international played an outstanding game in central midfield and once again delighted England.

Arteta describes Rice as “lighthouse“. The 24-year-old will “enlighten the others and improve the entire team. The way he talks, his ambition and passion for the game are exactly what we need“The Arsenal coach had already said after the move was completed in the summer. And apparently he was right.

Will striker Toney come in winter?

But it seems as if Arteta sees a need for further action in his squad. According to media reports, the 41-year-old is said to be looking for further reinforcements in the winter, and an accurate center forward is at the top of the list. No wonder, after all, Saka and Eddie Nketiah are the best scorers with five goals, while Manchester City with Erling Haaland (14 goals) and Liverpool with Mohamed Salah (12) have much more reliable strikers.

And one name in particular is mentioned frequently in Arsenal’s striker search. Ivan Toney was one of the most successful players in the Premier League last season with 20 goals, but was then banned for eight months for violating betting rules. This ban ends in January, and the striker could be in the second half of the season Brentford FC So go hunting for goals for Arsenal. But even without him, the Gunners have what it takes to win their first English championship title since the 2001/02 season.