Might Arsenal Bottle the Premier League Title?
Winning a league title isn’t easy. It takes skill, determination, tactical nous, and often a great deal of luck. However, there’s one slightly more intangible characteristic that all champions share – bottle. Bottle is grit, it’s character, it’s the ability to win at all costs and in the most high- pressure of situations.
Arsenal’s form this season has been the stuff of dreams. Under the leadership of Mikel Arteta, they’ve vanquished opponents and the ghosts of past failures alike and looked to be running away with the title before Christmas. However, a recent poor run has formed a dark cloud over the Emirates Stadium. Could Arsenal do the unthinkable and bottle the Premier League title? Read on to find out.
A Dream Start
Arsenal took 27 points from their first 10 games this season, felling giants like Liverpool and Tottenham in the process. This fantastic start stood them in good stead, they went on to take a further 28 points from their next 10 games, a run which included a key victory over Manchester United.
It was perhaps this triumph over their arch-rivals that gave fans a reason to start believing. The game was emblematic of a newfound tenacity under Arteta, with a late winner from Eddie Nketiah securing the three points and giving them a five-point lead at the top of the table. As it stands at the time of writing, Manchester City have played one more game than Arsenal.
What has Happened Since?
Arsenal’s campaign couldn’t have got off to a better start. Fans were left dreaming of the first Arsenal Premier League victory since 2004. In February, Arsenal were beaten 0 – 1 by floundering Everton, a loss which was immediately followed by a 1 – 1 draw with Brentford.
Things went from bad to worse. On February 15th , Arsenal and Manchester City faced off in a midweek top-of-the-table clash, in what was one of the most hotly anticipated Premier League games in recent memory. However, Manchester City proved too strong, winning 1 – 3 and knocking Arsenal off of the top perch.
Arsenal fans were distraught, could this be the sign of the team’s bottle crashing? Were Manchester City going to go and win the title?
A Glimmer of Hope
It seemed like Arsenal’s woes were to be compounded, after going 2 – 1 down to Aston Villa after 31 minutes. However, the Gunners then showed something they’d lacked over the previous weeks, the drive and determination to win at all costs. A goal in the 61 st minute and another two in stoppage time rescued the three points for Arsenal.
Arsenal’s fans' celebrations reached a new level when news broke that Manchester City had drawn 1 – 1 with Nottingham Forest later that day. These two results restored Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table, where they currently sit two points ahead of City with a game in hand.
Will Arsenal bottle the Premier League title? If you asked fans earlier this month, the answer may have been yes. However, the recent victory over Villa and City’s subsequent draw puts a whole new slant on things. Arsenal have demonstrated that, despite a momentary lapse in form, they cannot be counted out just yet.