Is Arsenal's defeat the end of the road?

Arsenal are very close to winning the Premier League title, but another slip-up would make this season a failure.

Can Arsenal win the Premier League?

Arsenal are entering a crucial moment under Mikel Arteta's reign. After years of rebuilding, the London club has become a genuine title contender. But when you're close to the top, all standards change.

Three years ago, competing head-to-head with Manchester City was a positive sign. Now, that's no longer enough. Arsenal can't continue to live on praise for their progress. They need a trophy.

Therefore, the away match at the Etihad in the 33rd round of the Premier League at 10:30 PM on April 19th carries more significance than just a three-point game. This is a test of character, belief, and the value of the Arteta project.

If Arsenal win, they open the door to the championship. If they draw, they still have control over their own destiny. But if they lose, all the pressure will return, and Man City will likely enter the final stretch of the season in their familiar predatory stance.

That's the last thing Arsenal want to see.

Arsenal have improved, but haven't crossed the final threshold yet.

There's no denying what Arteta has achieved. He took over a disorganized team lacking identity and far removed from the title race. Now, Arsenal is a team with a clear structure, possesses a quality squad of young players, and is capable of competing in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

But top-level football is always ruthless. When you get close to the finish line, people no longer judge you by the process, but by the result.

If Arsenal win the league this season, Arteta will be seen as the man who has brought the club back to the elite ranks. If not, the old questions will resurface: What is Arsenal lacking? Does Arteta have the caliber to win at this crucial moment?

Mikel Arteta is about to face a test that will determine the outcome of the season.

One of the biggest debates revolves around Arsenal's playing style. After the heavy 1-4 defeat to Man City in 2023, Arteta made a significant change. He abandoned some of the flamboyant style in favor of building a more pragmatic, solid, and less risky team.

That change helped Arsenal become more stable in the long run. But it also caused the team to lose some of its explosiveness. Many victories came in a way that was just enough, convincing in terms of points but not truly dominant in terms of feeling.

Fans accept that when Arsenal are top of the table. But if they end up empty-handed, all patience will turn into doubt.

Etihad is where the Arteta era is defined.

The biggest point of doubt surrounding Arsenal is their ability to accelerate in the final stages of the season. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher once pointed out that under Arteta, Arsenal lost 12 games in April, more than in any other month.

That's not a meaningless detail. This is the final stage of the season, where every slip-up is costly. A team that consistently falters in April clearly has psychological or squad depth issues.

Conversely, Man City almost always accelerate at the right time. Pep Guardiola's team has won nearly 80% of their April matches under him. That's a champion's habit.

The biggest difference lies in belief. Man City entered the final stretch with the memory of numerous triumphs. Arsenal entered with the memory of a disappointing run of form.

The Etihad is therefore where everything will be laid bare. If Arsenal win, they will prove they have matured and are capable of defying the old standards of the Premier League. If they lose, doubts will erupt fiercely.

Arsenal are strong in terms of organization, but they lack a striker who can decide matches like champions usually do.

Another problem lies in the attack. Arsenal are strong in terms of organization, but they lack a striker who can decide matches like champions often do. Big moments sometimes only require a single brilliance from a star player, and this is something Arsenal haven't yet demonstrated.

This puts the burden on the system rather than on individuals. When the system runs smoothly, Arsenal are very strong. But when the game gets drawn into a stalemate, they lack a striker capable of finishing off their opponents.

If they continue to finish second, Arsenal will hardly be considered a lovable challenger. They will be seen as a team that doesn't know how to get their hands on a title despite having so many opportunities.

Arteta understands this better than anyone. He has laid the foundation, built the framework, and brought Arsenal back to greatness. But to reach the next level, he needs a trophy.

This season, Arsenal can no longer afford to be content with second place. It's time for them to win, or face even greater doubts than ever before.

Source: https://znews.vn/arsenal-thua-la-cham-het-post1644619.html