Arsenal scored two late goals as they beat Leicester City 4-2 this weekend and closed the gap to the top of the table. Mikel Arteta’s men remain unbeaten in the league despite playing two games this season down to 10 men.
The Gunners have shown resiliency these past few weeks – getting results against Spurs, Atalanta and Manchester City. Mikel Arteta managed to rest and rotate players while beating Bolton Wanderers 5-1 in the EFL Cup.
Arsenal have survived playing Manchester City, Atalanta and Tottenham in the last 10 days and the future looks bright as Mikel Arteta gears up for another title race this season. The Spaniard has a chip on his shoulder, and has something to prove with Arsenal this year.
This version of Arsenal are built to win
Not many teams can boast of beating Spurs at home with two key players absent, or surviving a crucial away game in the Champions League, or only dropping two points at the Etihad playing Manchester City – when the team was down to ten men.
Former Chelsea forward says this year is Arsenal’s year:
“From the moment I walked into the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, it was clear that this group of players and fans now believe and I understand why.” Nevin wrote in his Football Extra newsletter.
?Even when they don’t have a weakness they still strive to improve. Full-backs Calafiori and Jurrien Timber underline this attitude. Manager Mikel Arteta demands not only top-quality defending, but comfort on the ball and real threat going forward. They have upgraded at full-back when they were perfectly good there before.”
Nevin then added that the Gunners’ depth is what will make them a formidable opponent this season.
“They will struggle to improve on William Saliba and Gabriel, the best centre-back pairing in the Premier League. Time and again each defender trusted the other to take care of Jamie Vardy on his own, as the other ventured forward. That is a big call as Vardy, though no spring chicken, isn’t often deliberately left mano a mano by anyone.”
Set pieces could win Gunners the league
The late goal from Leandro Trossard to make it 3-2 on Saturday came from a well worked corner from Bukayo Saka. Pat Nevin believes the Gunners’ efficiency from set pieces could be their secret weapon:
“The most noticeable change, spotted by everyone even if no-one can do anything about it, is that danger from corners. There are very few moves in the game that are so telegraphed but are still almost impossible to stop.
?They will not all say it out loud yet, but everyone in red sitting beside me in that stadium on Saturday thinks that this is the year.”
