Manchester City, and more recently, Liverpool, have become Arsenal’s biggest roadblocks in their quest to win the Premier League under Mikel Arteta.
For three seasons running, the Gunners have come close but failed to get over the line. Twice, Pep Guardiola denied his former assistant the crown. But last season, it was Arne Slot, remarkably, in his first year managing in England, who pipped them both to the title. While Arsenal had a season of nearlys but not quites.
Slot managed to disrupt the Guardiola vs. Arteta rivalry and snatch glory in a season few expected Liverpool to win. Yet for many, the real battle for supremacy is only just beginning.
Guardiola isn’t stepping aside
After a below-par campaign by his high standards, Guardiola has made it clear: he’s not going anywhere. In fact, he’s more determined than ever.
City finished third last season with just 71 points, their lowest total since Guardiola arrived in 2016. It led to speculation about his future, with some suggesting he might step away to allow a successor to build on his legacy.
But Guardiola has confirmed he will stay, and made it personal.
“It’s to prove myself that I can do it; I don’t want to have those feelings that last season left because, when we win, the wine tastes better afterwards, you sleep better,” he said, as reported by Manchester Evening News.
It’s a warning to his rivals. Guardiola is not ready to hand over the crown. He intends to remind everyone why he’s considered the best.
A three-way battle for the throne?
Slot and Arteta were already expected to renew hostilities after the new Liverpool boss dismissed Arteta’s suggestion that the Reds were lucky to win the title. Now, Guardiola has reinserted himself into the narrative, and the stage is set for a thrilling three-horse race.
Manchester City are reshuffling their backroom staff and looking to make a few statement signings. Their intention is clear: reclaim the league.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta is working to give Arteta the tools he needs to mount another challenge, with both the Manager & Sporting Director on the same page. With targeted additions and a settled core, Arsenal will believe they’re better placed this time around.
Arteta may have been denied three times, but he’s not backing down.
And next season, the Premier League battle might just deliver its fiercest title fight yet.
Thoughts Gooners? Can Arsenal finally win the Premier League next season?
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City will definitely be there once again. They are doing a major rebuild and I’m hoping for our sake that these new signings will take time to bed in.
Of the three teams, they probably have the most question marks. Will their signings hit the ground running? Will Rodri be the same player he was prior to the ACL injury?
They are also participating in the club World Cup and if they go deep in it, the exertions could affect their preparations for next season. I hope they do.
What is disturbing is the urgency Man City and Liverpool are signing players yet arsenal is taking all the time they want and in they end still get it wrong same old arsenal.
The signing of a natural LB or LWB in Ait Nouri from Wolves may represent a major change in tactics by P.G who was instrumental in introducing the inverted concept to the EPL.Personally i hope Ait Nouri is very effective as it might encourage our Manager to revert to using a convential left back which i have no doubt would improve the performance of Martinelli.In any event, i expect Man City to be a more formidable unit next season as they will certainly have more pace and energy in midfield.
The long awaited bombshell verdict on City 115 plus charges will break City’s bones. Arteta later tried to backtrack and divert the issue but he initially hinted there are certain grey matters obsured behind the screen which he learnt in his stay at City. Of course for the moment innocent until proven guilty. The justice process always and everywhere is tiring.
The fight is between Slot and Guadiola. Arteta is just a pretender. He has made his intentions known by going for Sesko who represent a longer future rather than a tested Gyokeres who will give us immediate impact. Gunners relax and enjoy beautiful football without trophies maybe, four or five years to come.
What guarantees are you prepared to give re Gyokeres scoring a hatful just because he does so in a very poor league ?
He seemed OK but not great when we played him. The EPL is a much tougher league and we don’t need 40 goals a season from a striker we only need 20. Sesko would likely get that based on his size speed and moreover the chances we create
It’s true both Spaniards are down but not out, it could very well comes down to who get out the blocks first