Arsenal, Premier League stalwarts and consistent title challengers, have not actually won the title since 2004. Their 22-year run of close calls with the top spot could well end this year, as, at the time of writing, they find themselves sitting pretty at the top of the standings. But, like many other years, they have other clubs, not least Manchester City, snapping at their heels, and fans fear another so-near-yet-so-far season. But can the Gunners get over the line this time? What’s it going to take for Mikel Arteta’s side to live up to the Wenger glory days of the early 21st Century?
Twenty-two Years Of Hurt
Arsenal last won the Premier League title with an unprecedented unbeaten run of 49 games, with the team dubbed ‘The Invincibles’. However, this came back in 2004, under manager Arsene Wenger, who led the club through one of the most successful periods in its history. Since then, the Gunners have failed to live up to their potential, despite having strong squads, excellent tactics, and a boisterous team spirit during many campaigns. They’ve come close, only to bottle it towards the end of several seasons, leading many to believe that the team is in some way cursed.
But this could be the year that the deadlock is broken, despite a resurgent Manchester City and others close behind. The current odds put Arsenal at around 4/9 to win the Premier League.
Close competition is, however, what football thrives on. It’s why it is such a big business with the bookies, who offer other options like online bingo and other gaming to expand their offering via football. It’s this level of anticipation and uncertainty that has made the beautiful game the world’s most popular sport, meaning it is often used to promote various other products. We saw that most recently with Arsenal’s close matchup with third-tier team Mansfield in the FA Cup.
Will They Bottle It Again?
In recent campaigns, we’ve seen Arsenal get off to an almighty strong start, often sitting at, or close to, the top of the Premier League standings. But they have developed something of a reputation for ‘bottling’ at the last moment, and recent results, such as draws with strugglers Wolves and a high-flying Brentford examples of potentially dropped points. A showdown with Manchester City at the Etihad looms large, and many see this as the potential decider for the rest of the season. But if Arteta’s men hold their nerve against the seven-time Premier League champs, they could be in good stead for a successful run-in in the latter part of the season.
What’s for sure is that they can’t drop ‘easy’ points against lower-tier clubs anymore, and must maximise their potential to try to hold on to their lead. Arteta’s focus will not just be on the Premier League, however, according to some estimates, Arsenal are favourites to win the UEFA Champions League as well, and this will be at the forefront of the minds of Gunners fans and staff. Interestingly, Man City are on the other side of the draw for the competition, so the only place they could meet Arsenal would be in the final, another opportunity for Arteta to face his nemesis team.
This is a crucial part of the season for Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta still has his work cut out for him, as recent results show. But Gunners fans are gunning for a title win, and he has a great opportunity to deliver, 22 years after their last Premier League success.
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