Although it was hectic and emotional, most people left Emirates Stadium believing that Arsenal had given Manchester City the advantage in the Premier League title race.
Only Manchester City has defeated Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League this season; they did it in a 3-3 draw against Southampton, which was saved by late goals from Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka after the visitors led 3-1 with two minutes of regular time remaining.
City now behind Mikel Arteta’s team by five points, although they still have two games remaining. They play the Gunners on Wednesday knowing that if they win all of their remaining games, they would retain the title. However, Arsenal can also claim that.
However, following a match in which they had to fight for a point against the worst team, Arsenal’s new championship race insecurity was not lost on the players or the management.
Gabriel Jesus, a forward, stated to Sky Sports: “Manchester City have two games in hand, but if we want to be champions, we have to go there to win the game – that is all.”
Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, asserts that the Gunners now need something “miraculous” to win the title; Arteta agreed.
Who has a better chance of winning the Premier League?
“We will fight until the very end”
Arteta is aware that if Arsenal wants to win the Premier League trophy for the first time in 19 years, they must break their current record of defeats against City, which dates back to 2015.
When questioned about the travel to take against the squad with whom he shared two league titles as City manager Pep Guardiola’s assistant, he answered, “I cannot wait.” The games you want to play are those. You have to go there to win when everything is on the line.
“This young squad responds in an extraordinary way when it is against the odds, but the opportunities they generated and the enthusiasm they had… it was a delight to witness. My affection for them is apparent in the message.They are more motivated than anyone to win it now that we are behind. The fighting spirit is evident in the locker room, but it is obvious that our defensive play needs to be improved.
The absence of William Saliba, who is injured, has drawn attention to Arsenal’s defense, which was further hurt by Granit Xhaka’s illness-related late withdrawal on Friday.
However, despite fullbacks Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White playing in their 100th Premier League game, the defense had more than enough ability and expertise to defeat Southampton.
When Arsenal fell behind 2-0 after 12 minutes, Zinchenko, who had been sidelined with a groin injury, called a quick team meeting in the center circle.
Gabriel Martinelli’s 15th league goal of the season, which tied Roberto Firmino’s record for Brazilians in a Premier League season, was followed by outstanding performances from Odegaard and Saka. There was also enough talent up front to secure three points.
However, Arsenal fell short for the third time in a row.
Jesus, a former City striker who currently plays for Arsenal, said: “A lot is happening right now. We are in a really excellent position, therefore we don’t want to come here and complain. The Premier League is challenging, so what we are doing this year is incredible.
“The difficult time is right now. Now is the moment to work together till the very finish. We still have a lot of work to do; the season is far from over, and we still lead by five points.
“We are the league’s youngest team, I’m not making excuses. Everyone makes errors; we all do the right and bad things occasionally. For this reason, it is crucial to keep together.
Even though a draw against Southampton at home may not sound promising, Arsenal needed to muster up plenty of grit before the late drama as Aaron Ramsdale gave the ball directly to Carlos Alcaraz, who scored after just 28 seconds.
Arteta agreed the City could not afford to make mistakes of a similar nature.
There are still six games left, so it’s hardly a final, he stated. “The concern is turning these situations around, especially if the players are occasionally in doubt.
“In football, there are times when you make mistakes and are not in a good frame of mind, but you have to move past that.”
After losing six points in their previous three games, Arsenal has allowed Wednesday’s game to almost reach the point of necessity.
Only three teams have finished with a lead of eight points or more after 28 games, as Arsenal did on April 7, and failed to win the championship.
The top two will clash at Etihad Stadium for the ninth time in Premier League history with five points or fewer separating them during the leader’s final six games of the season.
The side that won the game has gone on to win the championship on five of the previous eight occasions.
The scene is ideal for a thriller in which the city’s hunters are pursuing injured prey.
According to Gary Neville of Sky Sports, “Arsenal have definitely gotten a bit more tense in the last couple of games.” “It’s a current attitude thing.
“They ought to travel there with adventure and freedom. They are giving up goals, which is concerning since City will scent blood. They are all indicators of a squad that is stumbling badly.
“Arsenal must get back up for the most important game of their lives at the Etihad. They still have the enormous challenge of visiting Manchester City, a powerhouse, to do before it is all over.
“They still have one game left in the season that they are not predicted to win. Does that relieve the load and provide them some mental space?
It takes some accomplishment for this youthful Arsenal club to still be in the lead at this point in the race after not winning the Premier League championship for 19 years and missing the playoffs in each of the previous six seasons.
However, as Carragher noted, they now require magic.
The Sky Sports analyst stated, “They have to go to City and get three points to win the league now, I think.” They’ll need to perform a miracle right away. It will have to be absolutely exceptional.
“However, if that game is on the line, Arsenal shouldn’t do something foolish to try to win it. Wednesday’s game will decide everything, and City will win the championship.
