Normally, the answer to this at any given stage would be yes. But given the general trajectory of Arsenal this season, I would like to make the case that the Gunners do not really have to get their hands on the Premier League trophy.
There are a few other narratives that are going on in this campaign, to do with Liverpool and Manchester City.
With the Reds, it is Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge. They would want to send him off with the biggest high possible. As for the Citizens, they could become the first team to win the league four times in a row.
Embed from Getty ImagesBoth have better squads and have players that are more experienced in the rigors of a title challenge. That cannot be used an excuse of course but it is a reason behind why they are so good and are ahead of the Gunners.
So, where does that leave the north Londoners? The best aspect of Mikel Arteta’s stint at the Emirates is the gradual progress that has happened with each year. Last season, no one really expected Arsenal to challenge for the title. And bar a couple of injuries, they should have won their first title since 2004.
You will hear the word ‘bottlers’ being used to describe the Gunners for how last season ended. Now, the biggest consequence of what happened in 22/23 was what Arteta learnt from it. You can see it being implemented this season. The team is not as explosive as they were last year.
The main reason for that is it allows them to peak at the right time. This specific quality is one that Pep Guardiola has instilled in his team to an absurd degree. To see the north Londoners play in a manner resembling them is quite encouraging.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut then again, the dismal form in December which culminated in three defeats in the league will potentially haunt the team come May. Since the turn of the year, the Gunners have shown that they have what it takes to be the best in the country. And keeping pace with those at the top, shows signs of maturity.
With the other two challengers not looking like they will drop points, Arteta would want his team to be as perfect as possible. It is why the Spaniard deserves more leeway when compared to the likes of Klopp and Guardiola. Sometimes people forget that this is the former Arsenal captain’s first managerial job.
Building a team in his vision that can fight with the best is an achievement. The reductive way to look at this would be through the prism of a trophy, but the success goes beyond that. The culture has changed, the Gunners have become a team that demands respect, which was not really the case a few years ago.
So, to finally answer the question – it would be great if Arsenal did win the league, but it is not the end of the world if they do not. This team will get there soon and the fact that Arteta has made the fans believe in this, is a sign of a manager succeeding, slowly but surely.
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