Are Arsenal’s Premier League Title Dreams Over For Another Season?
Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to West Ham dealt a massive blow to Arsenal’s title credentials as they chase league leaders Liverpool for a first Premier League title in 21 years.
The stats are not for good reading for the Gunners as they created 20 shots and only two of these ending up on target, as they played the latter stages of the match with 10 players.
Another big game comes around again in midweek as they travel to Nottingham Forest, behind Arsenal in the league’s pecking order in another crucial clash.
An eight point gap could expand to 11 if Liverpool beat Manchester City, but is their shot at Premier League glory gone?
The lack of firepower in forward areas
One talking point when it comes to Arsenal is their forward options, with injuries preventing them from selecting their strongest attack. Both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have 12 league goals combined this season, neither will play for the remainder of the season.
Havertz is also Arsenal’s top scorer in the league this season with nine goals.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka, who has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, is weeks away from a return, arguably Arsenal’s biggest asset coming back at a key stage at the season.
Mikel Arteta has resorted to an unlikely replacement in the form of Mikel Merino, with his double off the bench against Leicester preventing Arsenal from falling further behind in the title race.
Arsenal’s front three against the Hammers of Ethan Nwaneri, Merino and Leandro Trossard have conjured up 11 goals in the league, consistent numbers are there, however it is time for someone to step up.
The breakthrough season of 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, the youngest ever player to have played in the league’s and Arsenal’s history, has seen him score thrice in the league becoming a viable alternative to Saka down the right wing, and with him finding the net, helps Arsenal’s efforts in front of goal.
51 goals scored this season in the league and a fair few goals behind Liverpool, should the Gunners have reinforced their frontline in January?
Season defining matches on the horizon
As previously mentioned, Arsenal travel to Forest in the week, another test that is right around the corner.
Although the Gunners may be out of the FA Cup, they are still in Europe, taking on PSV Eindhoven. Sandwiched between this is a game versus a struggling Manchester United side away at Old Trafford.
In addition, they host Chelsea and Fulham, followed up by a final trip to Goodison Park to play Everton, further demonstrating the need for Arsenal to get back on track immediately.
May sees Arsenal go to Anfield to play Liverpool which could determine where the league title may go. Other fixtures versus Bournemouth and Newcastle could also be possible stumbling blocks in this season’s run-in.
With six home games left to play, Saturday’s loss to West Ham was their first at home this season
36 points are up for grabs from now until the season’s end in three months time, meaning that Arsenal cannot avoid any more blips, considering Liverpool’s exceptional league form; if they want to be top of the tree on matchday 38.
The need to prioritise competitions
Arsenal alongside the league have the Champions League, pending progression in the latter means more games to be played, with the Gunner’s looking to win a first trophy since 2020.
In the domestic cup competitions, Arteta’s side were knocked out in the third round of the FA Cup by Manchester United. In the Carabao Cup, Newcastle defeated them over two legs.
Comparing this with the success of Liverpool and Manchester City of recent years, who along with the league title, have won the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and Club World Cup, other major trophies in the club game.
The Gunners have picked up 173 points from 228 available in the league seeing them fall agonisingly short of Premier League glory, finishing in second place.
A possible catalyst to Arsenal’s success could be to win an FA or League Cup, providing the boost and kickstarting the quest for further triumph and ending their five year trophy drought.