Arsenal stand 3rd in the Premier League table, 4 points shy of defending champions Manchester City and 9 points off of leaders Chelsea, as the league season reaches its final 10 fixtures. There’s no doubt that the Gunners have put themselves in a commanding position in the race for top 4, but do they have a realistic final shot at the title?
The North Londoners had a torrid first half of the campaign, as they struggled to string a consistent set of results together to assert themselves in the title race. For a long period did they struggle to break into the top 4, by failing to go on a winning run of more than 2 games – a shadow of the title-chasing side they were at this stage last season. However, Arsene Wenger’s men have now turned things around.
Much has changed for Arsenal since the 2-0 loss to Southampton at St. Mary’s on New Years Day; the return to fitness of key players, the much needed addition of Gabriel Paulista to the defence, the emergence of Francis Coquelin as the team’s defensive midfielder, Szczesny’s omission from goal for David Ospina, but above all, the noticeable change in Arsene Wenger’s defensive tactics.
Much criticism had come of Arsenal, who were often accused of being too easy to play against; way too often had we seen them throw so many men ahead of the ball in games this season, which always left the back door open for teams to score. The away game against Swansea springs to mind.
However, ever since the hard fought 2-0 away victory at the Etihad in January, Wenger had finally put their woes against a big side to rest and has consistently applied the same defensive structure, which was crucial to keeping a clean sheet that day.
Arsenal have notched up 31 points from a possible 42 since the start of December. Their most recent victory came against Everton at the Emirates yesterday afternoon, grinding out a 2-0 result against Roberto Martinez’ side.
Last season’s fixture at Goodison Park had top 4 implications at stake, but this time Arsenal inflicted more misery on the Merseyside outfit, who came into this game 20 points adrift of the Gunners.
It was far from the home side’s best performance, but they defended as a unit and took the chances that made the difference. At this stage it’s results, not performances that count and the Gunners are certainly doing that, as they look to catch Manchester City.
This victory was a direct response to the miserable Champions League night in midweek, as Wenger’s men capitalised on Liverpool’s 2-1 victory against Man City earlier that day, putting the reds right in the top 4 mix and Arsenal within reaching distance of the defending champions.
Chelsea would’ve been delighted to see their five point lead at the top intact, as well as securing their first bit of silverware of the season against Tottenham. Liverpool’s victory has seemingly handed Chelsea the initiative in the title race, and very few people will be going against the blues to finish the season 1st now.
Confidence will be sky high at Stamford Bridge as Jose Mourinho will look to secure the title. They still have to visit the Emirates though, where Arsenal have only lost once in the league so far this campaign. The Gunners must also face Liverpool at home along the way, but Wenger will be desperate to inflict his first victory over Mourinho, no matter where Arsenal are when the time comes.
Since January, Arsenal have added Gabriel to their defence, they’ve seen the return of key players Ozil, Walcott, Welbeck, Giroud and Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin has continued to impress as a holding midfielder, Wenger has improved his side’s defensive game and they now sit 3rd in the table. Everything is shaping up at a timely period.
However, their European campaign is now hanging by a thread, and their FA Cup defence will be challenged away to Old Trafford next week. But if Arsenal can continue to string results together, who knows what they can achieve come May. At the moment though, the dream of lifting the Premier League title hinges on results around them, as well as their own.