As Brennan Johnson netted fourth aim at , there was a shift within the air over the purple a part of north London and, virtually undoubtedly, the purple facet of Liverpool.
Some 48 hours after Metropolis introduced that Pep Guardiola had signed a two-year contract extension, his facet collapsed to their fifth defeat in a row for the primary time in 18 years. What’s going on?!
For the perfect a part of a decade, the rule has been that to win the Premier League, you wanted to beat Manchester Metropolis. And for 4 seasons in a row, no one has been in a position to.
To some followers, there was some unusual consolation on this. How might your facet probably compete with Erling Haaland and co – the seemingly bottomless monetary reserves of the membership, and the countless high quality of their squad? There isn’t a disgrace in making an attempt, and finally failing, towards somebody who is just higher than you.
With Manchester Metropolis slipping up, although, the chance couldn’t be greater for the Premier League pretenders.
However with this comes a brand new sort of strain. Failure to capitalise on this chance might deliver Arsenal’s long-term venture and course of with Mikel Arteta beneath scrutiny, particularly if the title is conceded to Arne Slot in his first season with .
Though the present league leaders sit eight factors clear on the prime, Gunners followers’ perception, and expectation, that this will probably be their 12 months will probably be strengthening with each Metropolis defeat.
Talking of alternative, no Arsenal participant has higher exemplified seizing the chance than Ethan Nwaneri. Each week he appears to set a brand new file for the membership.
Having made his debut at 15 years outdated, he scored his first Premier League aim throughout Saturday’s 3-0 win over . He had solely been on the pitch for 2 minutes.
Historical past dictates that this in all probability will probably be a blip for Manchester Metropolis, however by their requirements it’s a a lot greater blip than ever earlier than. The remainder of the Arsenal crew ought to observe Nwaneri’s instance, and seize this chance.
Discover extra from Laura Kirk-Francis on the
