Premier League – Before Arsenal – Chelsea: Why, despite the defeat at City, the Gunners must not let go

Four games in a row without a win for 11 goals conceded. A heavy defeat in the shock at Manchester City (4-1) before seeing the Citizens confirm four days later at Fulham (1-2). Arsenal have lived through very turbulent weeks since moving to Anfield.

The Gunners, now second one point behind City with one game more, may have even let the league title slip away in April. However, Mikel Arteta’s men have every interest in getting back on track, as of Tuesday against Chelsea (9 p.m.).

Because with or without a title, this season can be historic

If Arsenal win their last five matches, they will reach the milestone of 90 points. That of the “Invincibles” of 2003-2004. That of his last title. It will match the best total in its history, quite simply. With 75 units on the clock, the Gunners have already reached the totals of 2016-2017 or even 2014-2015. It’s a safe bet that they will beat the 79 points from 2013-2014, and it is reasonable to think that they will match, at least, the 83 points from 2007-2008 and 2004-2005.

Number of victories, number of goals scored… The London club has all the cards in hand to return to its standards of the early 2000s. Very high standards. “I know what we are trying to do, what the objective was and what we did, but we still have the best part of the season to play with five games. It’s not over. I would pay a lot of money. “money next season to be in that position again – a lot, believe me. I just want to maximize the moment we have right now and keep going.”launched Mikel Arteta Monday at a press conference.

To validate the course change

There are the figures, mentioned just now. But also what a team returns. This season, the training of Mikel Arteta has revolutionized the image that we had of Arsenal for almost 20 years. Beyond ensuring, at the very least, what would be its second… second place over the last 18 seasons, the London club must confirm that it has rediscovered the DNA of a great team, if not, for this season, winner. The ticket for the next Champions League is already validated, which is not nothing. But that shouldn’t be enough.

“What I like the most is that despite qualifying with six games to go, something that hasn’t happened for more than ten years at the club, we are not happy, we are upset and we want moreexplained Arteta. We want the club to always be in contact with the best, that’s the mentality we need (…) We are Arsenal and we have to be here to win every trophy, those are the requirements”. To finish in contact, if not in front, with a Manchester City which has perhaps never been as strong as it is now would be a big message.

Because mathematically…

Given the current dynamics, this should not be said too loudly. But mathematically, Arsenal obviously still have a chance of being champions. For that, the Gunners will have to win their last five games, hoping that City do not win more than four times in six meetings. Lots of ifs, not to mention goal difference.

“What makes us believe City can drop points? That every game is hard to win. I didn’t find out last week, that’s what I saw for nine months. Otherwise they would have won all their Premier League games. And they didn’t.”, attempted to optimize Arteta. Guardiola’s men won by a short header at Fulham on Sunday (1-2), have yet to face Chelsea, or the dangerous Brighton and Brentford. Above all, they will have a double confrontation against Real Madrid to negotiate in the Champions League, as well as an FA Cup final. Just that.

“Now it’s not in our hands anymore, but what’s in our hands is winning our games. That’s what we’ll try to do and the rest is up to City,” summarized Arteta. After all, the Premier League regularly delivers big surprises. Why not this time…

To prepare for the next

Tomorrow is almost now. Barely digested this turnaround, still far from having seen the season deliver its verdict, Arsenal is looking to the future. “We will look at what we can do, and what is the best strategy to move forward, improve and reach the level we want to reach”, replied an Arteta already questioned about the Gunners’ summer transfer window.

To be attractive in the next transfer market, Arsenal will have to continue to be in the game at the end of the season. Fucking a London foe, Chelsea, in big trouble despite their insane spending would be a nice message. Winning in Newcastle on Sunday, against the new rich who has a good chance of participating, too, in the next C1, would be an excellent idea.