Arsenal up by seven points: team spirit and excellent midfield now face biggest test

Manchester City dropped two points at home for a 1-1 draw with Everton, Arsenal robbed Brighton 4-2 and the Citizens leapfrogged into first place on a seven-goal difference. Those who have doubted so far must already admit that Arsenal are in the title race.

The Gunners are having an incredible half year. In 16 league rounds, they have lost only five points for the loss at Old Trafford and the draw with Southampton. At home, Mikel Arteta’s charges are 100 per cent so far.

Great team performance, a little exclamation point in defence

Arsenal are not the type of club to stand on one or two stars. It doesn’t have its Erling Haaland, Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah. One shines once, the other the next, but the results reflect an unprecedented team spirit and fighting spirit.

Although no one is cut off from the others, a number of footballers are playing excellently. Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard is overshadowing Kevin De Bruyne, it is impossible to imagine a midfield without the long-criticised Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are working for the team while being productive.

If it creaks somewhere at times, it’s the defence. William Saliba, after the national break, has made mistakes leading to goals in both games and fellow Brazilian stopper Gabriel is also prone to the occasional lapse.

(Finally) the big games are coming

Arteta has worked significantly during his engagement with the big six teams. The Gunners have floundered in them for a long time, but even last season suggested that Arsenal can beat the best. This year, it didn’t just work out against Manchester United.

The best moment of the season for the fans was the 3-2 triumph over Liverpool, as Arsenal couldn’t take on Jürgen Klopp for a long time. Similarly valuable were the London derby wins, 3: 1 at home to Tottenham and 1: 0 at Chelsea.

Now let’s show off

With the new year comes the Gunners’ toughest seasonal schedule. On January 3 at home, they will challenge the 3rd in the table. Newcastle, on January 15 they have an away derby with Tottenham and a week after that a home battle with the Red Devils.

The following rounds at Everton and at home to Brentford should be a formality, but on February 15, a busy month and a half will conclude with the possible match of the season. At the Emirates Stadium against Manchester City. How many points do the Gunners need from these six rounds? At least 13, ideally 15.

Source: Premier League