Arsenal’s resurgence under Mikel Arteta has garnered attention from even the club’s staunchest critics. With seven consecutive victories across all competitions, the Gunners now stand four points clear at the top of the Premier League, having dropped points only to Manchester City and Liverpool. Yet, amid the excitement of clean sheets and impressive performances, some doubts remain.
David James’s Change of Heart
Former England goalkeeper David James has recently reversed his critical stance on Arsenal’s squad dynamics. Perhaps he needed a clearer vision to appreciate the ongoing transformation. There are several aspects of Arsenal’s game that deserve praise.
- Defensive Strength: Arsenal’s defense has proven to be exceptionally reliable, allowing just 0.3 goals per game during their first nine league matches. They have also recorded six clean sheets in this period.
- Offensive Efficiency: On the attacking front, the Gunners are averaging 1.8 goals per match. This marks a significant improvement compared to last season, where conceding early often led to a lack of scoring in the second half.
James previously questioned what was happening behind the scenes at the club, but he now observes a team that rises to the occasion and can turn halftime deficits into victories.
Balancing Domestic and European Ambitions
Despite these encouraging signs, James believes the true challenge for Arteta and his team will arise as they juggle ambitions in both the domestic league and European competition. Last season, Arsenal faced 14 Champions League matches and only managed four wins in the Premier League during that stretch. This indicated a shift in focus away from the title chase as their European campaign progressed.
As Arsenal leads the Premier League this season, Arteta must strike a delicate balance between two demanding competitions.
Rivals in Pursuit
Although the season has started brightly, James remains skeptical about whether Arsenal can fend off competition from teams like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool through to the end of the campaign. He predicts these rivals will be close behind them throughout May, potentially deciding the title on the final day.
It will be interesting to see if Arteta can guide his squad through European challenges without compromising their momentum in the Premier League. If not, he may find himself in need of an additional set of eyes on the touchline to help navigate this demanding journey.