Collectively and individually, I saw enough from the Gunners at the Etihad to hope that our season will not now simply crumble. No one can accuse Arsenal of going missing or playing with fear on Sunday.
Yet consecutive league defeats have now put Man City’s title destiny back into their own hands and left us with little room for error in the title race.
The Emirates Has a Huge Role to Play
The one advantage Pep Guardiola has over Mikel Arteta is that core members of his group know how to get over the line.
If our rivals win on Wednesday, we will no longer be top of the table. On an evening when Burnley could be relegated, the visitors will hope the Clarets go through the motions and the floodgates open.
What those lucky enough to be at the Emirates this weekend have to do is try to put their nerves to one side. The squad’s fate is still in their own hands, but what they do not have is momentum or confidence. In other words, they need our help.
The majority inside that stadium have the same fear of failure as the players. When you are so close to achieving something that has not been done in 22 years, tension is natural.
One Result Can Change Everything
If the Bournemouth fixture was an example of how we will cope with the stress in the next month, then it could not have gone worse. It was surreal how talented individuals could not do the basic things with the ball.
They were looking for the crowd to lift their self-belief, yet nothing on the pitch happened to raise the noise levels.
It is a vicious cycle.
Eddie Howe will be telling Newcastle it will not take much for panic to spread around the ground.
Our manager is not going to change his ethos. With five Premier League fixtures left, the style of football is not suddenly going to become entertaining, and our team has lost its confidence.
What is great about sport is that one game can change the mood. We might all have to put our opinions to one side and for 90 minutes be that 12th man.
It would be counterproductive not to.
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I agree, it’s not over as much as people will say it is.
One slip somewhere will decide this title race, and we can’t say without doubt that the slip won’t come from City.
Regarding the game against City though, Havertz missed two that he would normally score (although I can’t be too harsh on him, he showed a lot of fight with the goal chasing down the keeper). Eze also was inches away. The result could have been completely different.
It’s not over yet, definitely Arteta now has to change because it might come down to how many goals we score. We still need to give it a go! Speed up play, and no more waiting 30/40 seconds for white to take a throw when we are chasing a game/ goal. Show urgency do everything quicker… That’s what I want to see final five games
With fit and in-form Saka & Timber, I’d be in no doubt that we’d achieve the results and the goals to keep us top, and although I’m sure that we’ll still get the 5 wins, I can’t see more than 8 goals, which I don’t think will be enough to top City. Let’s hope I don’t know what I’m talking about 😫.
I sense if we win the 5 games
we will win the title
In short, we now have a 5 game shoot out vs City. Simple.
The title will come down to goal difference.
No more tippy tappy football without any end product. Just as we did vs City, we need to play with the high press and intensity – cos when we do, not many teams can cope with us.
We need to go for the jugular from the first whistle and need to be very offensive and aggressive – while maintaining focus and a clear and calm head.
The teams we’re playing are far more defensively fragile than those of City’s opponents – and we need to exploit that.
We know that defensively we’re strong – but offensively, we must now step up.
No excuses. Time to go for it and let the handbrake off.
Wow, the toxic positivity is astonishing. Arsenal fans never learn.
People watch this team bottle every game under the pressure we might actually win something, yet they believe they will win 5/5. It’s not happening, but even if by a miracle it does, City will win 6/6 with a better goal difference.
If there’s anything toxic going on here, it’s your continuous trolling of Arsenal.
Ahh here we go again.
Konstantin
You are just a Man City fan in the wrong forum
Man City can’t win all 6 matches. And I will be proven right
I am sure they won’t but what make you certain we will win ours considering we are in bad form and they are on fire?
HH
I was responding to Konstantin saying that Arsenal can’t win 5 matches, but if they do, Man City will win 6 matches.
Am not saying Arsenal are guaranteed to win 5 matches. We can even lose all of them. Same applies to City
But for me, I don’t see Man City winning all of them. And if they do, I don’t see them thrash all of them. Now it’s about who wins by how many goals, and how good they are defensively
Freddy, yes anythings possible with results, and as you say, goals are likely to be decisive.
I just look at historical evidence and current form, not blind faith and luck, sorry you can’t do that.
Historical evidence would’ve said Frank McClintock wouldn’t be on the winning side in the FA Cup Final in ’71 seeing as he was on the losing side on his previous 4 Cup Finals. Historical evidence would’ve said we couldn’t go to Anfield and win by 2 clear goals to win the League. Guess what ? Historical evidence was proved to be wrong on both of those occasions, and I dare say on more as well.
@ K
You do Konstantin mate whether myself or others agree with it or not.
Konstantin I have been reading your posts and articles for 6 years now and you have been proven 100% right.
I find it distasteful how those who have been proven 100% wrong keep hounding you for having your opinion. And they will preach free speech while trying to bully others into silence.
Keep on the path of truth my friend. The road of truth is treacherous no one in history who has taken it had fared better.
So his last article was the truth ? Wrong again HH 🙄
Interestingly HH, everyone who has claimed to be bullied on JA, still post and give their opinions quite openly.
If you have been reading Konstantin’s posts for six years, you will know, without any doubt whatsoever, that his views differ 100% with yours regarding Arsene Wenger – have you changed your mind about him then?
No Ken some section of posters force him to be positive when we bottle and are not pleasant about it. Does he complain when we win? No. Maybe he is happy who knows.
Regarding Wenger I do not care about his opinion of him for I have not seen him make up lies after lies like Her Drier do frequently. And how wrong is he regarding that? We are still major trophyless 22 years later.
I do not subscribe to this trophies are not everything narrative because it is dishonest as it comes.
Why?
Some of us questioned Arteta ability to win trophies since 2021 but what did his ardent supporters say? We are still in phase one, phase 3 is when trophies will come. We should trust the process. We should wait 3 years. 3 years came and went by, no trophies.
The narrative changed to he is still clearing deadwoods, then we should wait until he get his own striker etc etc etc.
When all the excuses dried up what do they say? Trophies are not everything.
Why wasn’t that a narrative from the start? And if trophies do not matter why do these people have only the worst thing to say about Wenger and Emery?
And wait and see when Arteta wins a major trophy how the same people who say trophies are not everything giving Arteta the sainthood.
HP, what lies have I posted about Wenger ?
If you don’t reply then that will say so much about you.
He didn’t inherit a mess, he didn’t develop players, he spent billions like Arteta, he didn’t revive careers of players he inherited (you are even refusing their own testimony on this that’s completely nuts). Just to name a few.
I’ve never said he never inherited a mess, I said that those players won trophies (including a European one) and nearly created a record by becoming the first club to win the CWC in succession.
I said he didn’t develop the likes of Ashley Cole, as the academy coaches did that job.
I said he spent millions, never ever said he spent billions.
Everyone, including me, knows he revived the careers of our defenders that were already at the club.
You really need to stop lying fella.
But you said you’ve agreed with Konstantin 100%, yet his views on AW are poles apart from what you, Dan, DK and I think about him.
I can’t see how you can say one thing and believe another, but let’s let that one pass.
How can anyone be forced to be positive on a platform such as JA?
Every comment is personal to the individual saying it and, unless someone is twisting another person’s arm, they can write what they want (as long as it’s within the rules that Pat and Michelle have set up).
There is no control over opinions, but, of course, if one gives an opinion, it’s more than likely to be agreed with or questioned… as I’m doing with your 100% of Konstantin post quote.
Nothing underhand or “group” driven about that, surely?
I was one of those who questioned Arteta’s ability, despite Arsene Wenger recommending him and, as the “phases” came and went, there was no doubt in my mind that he was taking the club forward…up until the season where we finished 5th , you and I agreed completely, if I remember correctly?
Trophies aren’t everything is a dishonest statement? Why?
Was it dishonest when you and I backed Arsene against the likes of Konstantin when he wasn’t delivering trophies?
Or was it because we knew what he was doing was going to be edit the club in the long run?
As for if and when Arteta wins a trophy, perhaps he never will and when this season ends, we can judge him once again.
All I can say to you, is I’m excited that once again we are in the race for the PL and, for the 2nd consecutive season, in the CL semi final.
I haven’t read any recognition of that from you or Konstantin, because, it seems, you both want to concentrate on the negatives.
Anyway my friend, we certainly agree to disagree on where our club is at this moment in time, but I’m sure we’ll both be able to write down our thoughts without fear or favour.
That is not what I meant Ken perhaps I did not put that clearly. I said he has been right 100% regarding our inability to win trophies especially the EPL and UCL for all these years.
I have read your posts and articles for 6 years now to know what your heart and intentions are but the same can’t be said to the lot you agree with nowadays.
For one honest people do not need to change goalposts. Honest people agree when they get it wrong and change their views if they wish to.
Also honest people do not apply one rule for Wenger and Emery and another for Arteta. Wenger out because top 4 is not enough but Arteta forever because trophies do no matter?
At least it’s clear Konstantin is honest in his views because if he hate the managers he hates them all equally. No moving goalposts, no double standards because he has no agenda.
But your view about “moving the goalposts” regarding Arteta or any other situation, is flawed HH.
If one sees an obvious improvement, isn’t it honest to recognise that and one then doesn’t stick to one’s original and correct opinion, one acknowledges that improvements have been made and changes one’s views?
8th 8th 5th 2nd 2nd 2nd is obviously an improvement, as is qualifying for the CL and, then, progressing to the semi finals of that competition two years in a row – something that no other manager in the history of our club has ever done before – shows progression.
Your very keen to describe how those who are backing Arteta this season will react should we end up trophyless, how will you react if we win the PL or CL?
My thoughts are my own and I’m not a member of any group, fanclub or one of the magnificent seven that’s now being touted.
That’s all a load of childish tosh that goes back to the Wenger days and Konstantin was a leading light in that ridiculous campaign, just as he is today regarding Arteta.
I call out Mikel, individual players, referees, even fellow JA subscribers when I think they’re wrong and own up when I’ve got things wrong.
As for Konstantin and his agenda, he’s like the baby who’s thrown his toys out of the pram.
He’s one of those individuals who thinks being negative is positive.
With five PL games to go and two matches to decide if we reach the CL final, he’s thrown in the towel, calls for the manager to go now (not at the end of the season, but now!!).
If that kind of mentality is what you describe as being honest and something you agree with 100% then I’m afraid we are poles apart in our thinking.
He’s a joke of a fan, a glory hunter and should be a presenter on AFTV or whatever that lot are called….in my personal opinion,along with my gang of me, myself alone.
@Ken ,What’s your views on the VIle fans on JA that try and get fellow posters or Article writers banned for having an Opinion?
As I can remember HH went though that himself for something your agreeing with .
Did you see my reply to you asking for proof that our club haven’t made a profit every year DK?.
On to your question :
What “vile fans” are you referring too here?
You seem to make innuendos about people your not prepared to name and citing situations that I, personally, have no idea what your referring too.
HH and I go back many seasons and we agreed on many things.
He has the mentality and strength to argue his own corner and I see no difference with what he went through, with what you, he and others are doing with regards to HD.
Just as HH did, HD will fight his corner and does not need others to help him.
All this crap about cults, bullies etc is like being in a playground with children and I want no part of it.
Your opinion that “vile fans on JA that try and get fellow posters or article writers banned for having an opinion” is a perfect example….. in my opinion, but let’s see if your naming and shaming of something I’m not aware of changes my mind.
That’s not what I asked is it Ken !
Isn’t it DK?!
I have no idea who the “vile fans” are that you prefer to and I asked you to name them in order to answer you.
So I’ll ask you that again.
I note you didn’t answer my question regarding Arsenal making profit every year – care to comment on that?
Still waiting for your reply DK – on both points!!
Unless you want to drop both subjects?
I said “what do you think about the vile fans that try to get fellow fans banned ,fellow fans Articles banned ,”
They know who the are ,I didn’t ask you who they were did I !
No, but as I haven’t got a clue who your talking about, how can I answer your question?. As far as I’m concerned, there is no one who comes near to the use of the word “vile” on JustArsenal, so you need to be more specific about who your labelling with such a word… so be brave and name this individual, or is it more than one? Could it even be me?
I’m glad we sorted out the question regarding making money every season by the way.
100%agree HH mate regarding the hounding on here ,there’s a group that seem to think they can control what is written .
Then we’ve got the “go support another club”group .
Then we have the “you’re not a true supporter “ club .
I don’t agree with Konstantin very often but it doesn’t make him less of a supporter than the next loudmouth .
👆😂😂😂
Abit close to home for your liking ?
Not at all.
What you laughing at then if it isnt from covering up the embarrassment ,did I not write the truth ?
Perhaps he is copying your replies to David only his is not that original.
Wrong again HP. You’re not doing very well with your posts.
Because HP is way off in his post and you’re backing him.
I agreed on one point ,i dont need someone to hold my hand on a fcking football forum ,i give my opinion,you should know by now I speak for myself .
Same can’t be said for some others ,one comments ,clear as day the rest follow.
My main point was that some fans want to control what is written on here ,I won’t be told what to write and i encourage anyone else to follow suit .
My mistake then DK. I also speak for myself and I always stand my ground. What I can’t stand is some posters saying I lie and I don’t know the history of The Arsenal.
No Her Drier you are part of the herd. The magnificent 7, the JA 6. You can’t understand that one can agree or disagree with a post and move on without becoming part of the herd.
It’s okay to have an opinion whether positive or negative, it’s okay to criticize Arteta one week and praise him the next according to results.
Do not imprison yourself like that. No one is forcing you to.
HP, but posters like you don’t praise Mikel when the team does well. We used to sing a song to the Man Utd fans at Highbury, 🎵all you do is fcuking moan🎵 which would apply to you as well.
I’ll save my comments on Mikel till the end of the season thank you very much.
I’m a free man and I’ll always speak my mind 😀
I didn’t say we will
I said if lol
Arsenal could easily crumble
just let’s take it a game at a time
first step is win our next 2 to send Man City to Everton under pressure
For Dan
I think we should only think of the next game against Newcastle as they are capable of setting up defensively and hitting us on the break.
Win first. Do not think about goal difference.
Same with Fulham as it is after AM match.
Only think goal difference for the last 3 matches.
OT: Are there any predictions as matches start tonight.
I see Arsenal winning the league, as long as we defend well and score alot of goals
There’s no way Man City can thrash Everton and Bournemouth away as well as Aston Villa and Brentford at home. For us, we can thrash Fulham, Burnley and Newcastle at home. We have done that to West Ham away more than once in the last 4 seasons
We both have Burnley and Palace.
If i were Arteta, I would play the same team that played at Etihad, but start with Timber and Saka if they are fit
Also, we can play 4-1-4-1
Raya
Timber Saliba Gabby Pierro/Calafiori
Rice
Saka Odegaard Eze Trossard/Nelli
Havertz
This team has 4 creators behind Havertz who is very unpredictable, unlike Gyokeres. This will give us goals from all angles. The reason why we caused Man City all sorts of problems is because of Eze, Odegaard and Havertz
Do we actually think mancity will slip up against a brittle Burnley side?.. they will be annihilated by haaland and co. It so self defeating if we are now expecting Burnley to do us a favor. I believe mancity winning on Wednesday will spend the end of our title push because they might still lose points against opponents of their remaining fixtures but we cannot guarantee that arsenal will win all their remaining games.. league is over, we might as well throw the kitchen sink at the UCL and try to win it
I don’t think anyone is asking for Burnley to do us a favour, it’s pretty certain City will win. However I could see a team like Everton being a bit of a thorn for them. So could Newcastle for us. I don’t think anyone should think it’s over yet.
I do agree that we need to go all out for UCL though, but shouldn’t give up on PL at the same time. You just never know.
Olumuyizi
The league is far from over. How can it be over when both teams can have a maximum of 85 points?
Now it’s about which team scores most and concedes less
Leandro Trossard hasn’t scored in his last 22 games in all competitions
Bukayo Saka has two goals in his last 24 in all competitions
Gabriel Martinelli hasn’t scored in his last 23 Premier League games
Noni Madueke has two goals in 22 Premier League appearances
Martin Odegaard has one goal in his last 21 PL appearances
That is 5 goals in 122 appearances for these players. It doesn’t fill me with confidence.
That on top of the way we are playing, the tactics and negativity in the media makes me believe it’s over.
I won’t go into whether Arteta should be here next season or indeed any of those players I mentioned…
I can’t agree less, take those players played for Bournemouth, Brighton, Sunderland, Crystal Palace or Fullham this same season they would have scored more. They manager’s chosen approach and mentality has made them loose their skills, turned them into defenders no business going forward if they slowly do they lack the finishing touches to execute their goal. They’ve been found out with the set pieces, in 5 games how many goals have they scored?
Take those players to
Okey Joseph
You people blame Arteta for everything 😆😆😆😆. In today’s football, every player MUST defend. Even Pep has done that with Haaland this season
This season, Arsenal have scored over 60 league goals. We have scored over 20 goals in the Champions League. And we have scored over 10 goals in Carabao and FA cup
That is is over 90 goals this season. So saying Arteta has made Arsenal players to be defenders is a joke without facts 😆😆😆
The fans have been cheering and supporting the club all along they’re not at fault rather it’s the manager the players that have failed everyone so far without caring and you can’t expect the fans to keep supporting 100% in all matches watching the manager and players showing nonchalant attitude the way they approach and play matches. Pls it’s not lack of fans support rather Arteta and the players. Why can’t Arteta sacrifice his chronic selfish ego and work for the interest and progress of the club at least for half season and you’ll see them crossing the line that looks impractically possible. How can you go into a football match with the mindset of turning it into a football practice as if nothing is at stake, you prefer to keep the ball in your territory in the name of keeping possession rather than taking the fight to your opponents and bang in goals upon goals. Yes Jose Mourinho may have played negative football and won trophies in the past and not now things have evolved, the question is does Arteta have the quality of players Mourinho had then? And – No. Mind you when he won CL’s with fc Porto and Inter.Milan he wasn’t playing negative football he’s a master tactician too, Arteta is rigid inexperienced and doesn’t even want to learn from his past mistakes and his arrogance is a kill joy. To the players they contributed immensely to the mess and fix they are right now without care. We all saw the spirit and zeal with which they confronted Man.City at Etihad last Sunday, had they been doing that from the onset of the season Arsenal would have concluded this season’s league by now like Barcelona and Bayern Munich. They had the opportunity to hammer Chelshit at Stamford right from first half but they resorted to defensive play against 10 man Chelsea until Chelsea scored first and 2 points lost. They were lucky with Wolves at Emirates, in the return leg they showed that they learnt nothing after going 2 goals up they started fooling themselves that it’s over that football is no longer for ninety minutes then another 2 points lost making it 4 the same happened at Brentford home they couldn’t close it up and another 2 points lost making it 6. If this 6 points is in their kitty nobody will have been perturbed with the outcome of Etihad. To the players, can’t they sometimes show that they have brain, can’t they do something out of the way when they see that the drab slow pace clumsy Arteta football is not working out, that it’s going against them, causing them lots of injuries etc, can’t they think out something of their own and positively turn the tide. Let me say it here Arteta and Arsenal players are not lacking their fans support at the stadium rather they are the ones that are recklessly destroying the support and trust the fans have for them. No matter what, the support is still there but without passion right now. With Arteta always fielding his favorites and not who fits in for a particular game Arsenal will not win all the remaining 5 games but if he upgrades and adjusts then this Epl trophy 🏆 will anchor in Emirates.
The question is can arsenal still win the league. The simple answer is Yes.
How can this be achieved?
Well it is one of two ways
A. A city slip up and an arsenal 5/5.
B. An arsenal better goal difference.
I’m more optimistic about B than A.
We all know city could win all Thier remaining games but I’m very certain they won’t Everton, place, Bournemouth, Brendford and villa with high scoring margins.
I believe pep is going to target Burnley for that high score win so as to get the g/d advantage. We too can target Bunley cos we play at home, we also might want to set a target of 3 goal or more in the rest of the games and hope for the best.
Is it a surety ? No
Is it possible? Yes .
Is it realistic ? Maybe . But we have to give it a go and keep the faith. I’ve seen some crazy things happen in football , like arsenal winning the league in 89 needing at least a 2 goal win at anfield.
History could still be written.
COYG.
Emperor Augustus
You are right. You have read my mind. That is what I have saying
Arsenal and Man City can win all their matches and get 85 points. Question is, who has teams that can be thrashed?
Can Man City thrash Everton, Bournemouth away and Aston Villa, Brentford at home?
Can Arsenal thrash Newcastle, Fulham at home and West Ham away from home?
As for the remaining two teams (that is Burnley and Palace) which both Arsenal and Man City will face, question is, who has better opportunity?
1. Is it Arsenal at home against Burnley and Palace away?
Or
2. Is it Man City at home Against Palace and away to Burnley?
see I would be more then A then B lol
We all would but option B is more in our hands than option A. Let’s continue in the hope, there is no harm in hoping. Cheers.
no I meant it’s more realistic that Man City drop points then we outscore them
Dan
I agree. Arsenal can even win two matches only, especially seeing how we are under pressure at home
These next matches will be very key
1. Burnley vs Man City
2. Arsenal Vs Newcastle United
3. Arsenal Vs Fulham
4. Everton Vs Man City
If Man City wins against Burnley, we must thrash Newcastle and Fulham to have a bigger goal difference than them Before they face Everton. They will be forced to thrash Everton away which will be very difficult. They could even drop points against Moyes’ boys
The possibility is there I hope the mindset is. The game play is strategic now for both teams , avoid defeat and win big where you can, seeing our fixtures I believe we have the advantage. The big question is Does Arteta and his boys have this same understanding as we do ? Are they going to do the needful with this understanding? Are they going to go all in or continue to play the cautious game? Playing cautious and conservative from here on in is tantamount to conceeding defeating and hoping on lady luck to derail city .
We will see how it goes. But as long as there is hope it is not over.
no mate we can’t think like that
he can’t go into games worrying about the goal difference
just focus on getting the win first
Ifs ,nots ,can-dos ,maybes ,like you chirping on above about someone having the complete opposite view ,it’s all hogwash until the games are played .
Maybe calm down with the endless waffle until the games are played would be my advice .
We won’t outscore City unless the set piece and own goals suddenly start appearing again. This is based on pure firepower upfront, Haaland, Semenyo and Cherki, not to mention O’Reilly. If we win our last 5 games I believe we’ll finally achieve the title again. Our main problems are the two Atleti UCL games and West Ham at the London Stadium. My opinion? We have to depend on City dropping points.
Particularly West Ham who could be in a real relegation scrap
I agree Sue P, the Hammers now look a more determined bunch.
no but we can keep clean sheets
5
3 max
The END
Tom Canton of Football.London predicts Arsenal win the title with 83 pts and City end with 80 pts. Arsenal to draw at Hammers while City encounter a draw and a loss away against Bournemouth and Everton.
I’ll go stick 100k on it then if Tom Canton said so (who ever the fck that is )
The next 2 home games will decide our season.Two victories will give us that 6 point lead again.Anything else and we are toast
Assuming that City wins today (to get equal points), we’ll only recover a six-point lead if we win two and they lose two of our next PL games. Personally, I think both teams will win 100%.
no he means we will be 6 points clear by time they kick off at Everton
so would pressure back on them ?
👍
Jon Fox made a good point to me the other night regarding our Palace game at the end of the season.
Palace will, hopefully, be playing their european cup final threw days after they play us, so what team would they put out against us.
Of course, city haven’t had the date for their match against Palace confirmed but they might also have the FA cup final on their mind.
Newcastle seem to have some injury problems for the game on Saturday, while we are, seemingly, about to welcome back Timber at least.
Let’s just put the press on city115!!
I thought that
my worry would be will Villa be in same situation?