#MUNARS: Why Many People Believe Arsenal Won’t Win—-Title or no title, this season, there is no fear that Arteta’s side are at risk of missing their only chance or are about to slip away. With three and four games left for Arsenal and Man City respectively, Arsenal’s late-season collapses in each of the last two campaigns prompted much angst, as they saw Champions League qualification and then the Premier League title slip through their fingers.
Once again, the defending champions, Man City, were the clear favourites before the campaign started, as they always are. However, they’re having a much harder time retaining their title this time around. Man City had dropped away from being favourites, having drawn against title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal. However, they have bounced back with victories over Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, before seeing their rivals drop points to put them back in charge. Impressive wins over Luton, Brighton, and Nottingham Forest have moved them one step closer to a record fourth consecutive title, however, sitting one point behind Arsenal with a game in hand.
For some time, the nearly men of the 2022/23 season looked as though they would be ending their long wait for the Premier League trophy, a first since the Invincible season of 2003/04. But in the end, Arsenal had to settle for second. While some predicted last season was a fluke, Mikel Arteta’s men are showing they are here to stay.
The Gunners are one-point clear at the top of the table right after three straight wins over Wolves (2-0), Chelsea (5-0) and Tottenham (3-2), though City have a game in hand.
With all being said, City People gives five reasons why people believe City would retain their title and deny Arsenal the league for the second season running.
OPPOSING PLAYERS GANGING UP ON SAKA
The persistent marking on Bukayo Saka by two or three players in matches has rendered him ineffective, even though he is Arsenal’s key man. It is now up to the manager to figure out how to use him because defenders will always mark him. It was suggested the other day that he tries his hand at striking, which might be a great element of surprise. Other than that, he could also be played as a wingback (he can draw those marking him out of position and create spaces for teammates).
MARTINELLI’S FORM
Just recently Alejandro Trossard started to net important goals, but we can’t deny the importance of the Brazilian, who was a key figure for the Gunners last season as they regained their competitive edge, but he hasn’t had the same influence this season. Martinelli’s playing style, like Saka’s, may have been cracked, in my opinion. Aside from being “found out,” there has been concern about his indecision in the final third. Arteta must evaluate what to do with Martinelli, as well as what can work for the left-wing while Martinelli works to regain form.
TACTICAL PREDICTABILITY
Arteta appears to use the same strategies in every game. Even when things aren’t going well, he doesn’t alter. He should now be able to change formation for every game, given the Gunners’ tactics have been predictable for quite some time. He needs to play with a tactical approach that exposes his opponents.
THE RETURN OF ERLING HAALAND
With the return of the prolific striker and also the full fitness of the assist master, Kevin Debryne, Man City is bound to reclaim the title with a record four PL titles in a row. They both combined for the second goal against Nottingham Forrest to move Haaland to 21 goals and the top score which their rivals are yet to reach 20.
OLD TRAFFORD CAN BE ARSENAL’S GRAVEYARD
Former Manchester United defender, Gary Neville said that the league is City’s to lose. He said this on Gary Neville Podcast: “You never know what is going to happen at Old Trafford. It can be a graveyard for teams.
“Even with the way United are at the moment, you have to regard that as a massive match. “Teams have won at Old Trafford that have been in the bottom half of the table, but teams in the top half of the table have gone there and struggled.
“Liverpool famously in the last month or two have lost an FA Cup quarter-final there and they drew in the league and that was probably the start of Liverpool’s downfall. You can never underestimate a game at Old Trafford.
“I think they [Arsenal] will achieve a 100 percent record. The one doubt is the Old Trafford game. It will all depend for me on how City do in the next week or two as well,” the eight-time PL winner said.
CREDIT: CITYPEOPLE
