Arsenal Football Club is proving ridiculously abundant this year. They’re setting up beautifully as the dark horses to win the Premier League title. With a series of challenging fixtures behind them, the team has navigated early obstacles while maintaining their top spot in the league. As the former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville put it recently, “This has got to be their year.” That’s because their performance will be so crucial, he said. As the season progresses, Arsenal fans are hopeful that their team can sustain this level of play to secure the coveted league title.
For Arsenal’s adventure so far this season, it hasn’t been all rosy. The team has continued to suffer injuries to key players. Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke and new recruit Kai Havertz are all expected to be out for at least a month. In spite of the odds, Arsenal are proving down-and-out a second time is hard and today sit atop the league table. Throughout the season, their squad depth has been vital. This was very much on display in their recent 1-0 win over fellow Londoners Crystal Palace, their substitutes appearing to be capable reserves when the regulars were missing.
Key Players and Tactical Strengths
One of the underappreciated figures in Arsenal’s midfield is Martin Zubimendi. Coming from a deep position, he is just so good at making those chances. His elite one-on-one defensive ability has made him an indispensable part of the team’s tactical foundation. Yet, should Zubimendi suffer an injury, Arsenal’s depth could be put to a brutal test. Declan Rice looks capable of doing that at the base of midfield. His recent positional shift up the pitch has shown that he’s a much bigger threat in a more attacking position.
Like many of his fellow midfielders, Christian Norgaard provides an auxiliary option to Zubimendi, though his style of play contrasts greatly. This difference would necessitate changes in Arsenal’s game plan if Zubimendi were to miss any time. One of the keys to the team’s success will be their midfield depth. Their goal is to allow just 13 goals this campaign—that would be a remarkable defensive mark in the modern era.
“They aren’t miles better than last year but are repeating levels of consistency and that’s all they are going to have to do this year to win the league.” – Gary Neville
Fixture Challenges and Upcoming Matches
As the season unfolds, Arsenal’s journey gets tougher. Their third-to-last game is an away match against fellow relegation scrappers West Ham. This presents Declan Rice with a special opportunity to potentially clinch the title in front of his old club and their passionate fanbase. This match-up is highly symbolic for Rice, who has been a transformative player at the base of Arsenal’s midfield since his arrival.
Now the Gunners are under great pressure from closest rivals Liverpool and Manchester City. If these teams regain their form, they could reach as high as 85 points this season, intensifying the competition at the top of the league. In short, Neville is fully convinced that Arsenal must hit the 80s-high to win the title. He thinks that will be the case even when their rivals return to their best.
Managing Injuries and Squad Depth
Arsenal’s plight serves as a cautionary tale to the premium that squad depth can have in tackling a long season full of engagements and hurdles. From this perspective, the team’s ability to cope with injuries has been fantastic but it has continually been tested and still has them atop the league table. With the November international break behind us, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke should bolster Arsenal’s attacking options. Simmons’ and Stewart’s return will instantly bolster the team’s frontline.
Players such as William Saliba, Declan Rice, and Riccardo Calafiori have cemented their place on the pitch. When needed, strong replacements like Cristhian Mosquera, Mikel Merino, and Myles Lewis-Skelly are more than capable of making up the absence effectively. This resilience exemplifies Arsenal’s desire and resolve to continue their title challenge regardless of obstacles.
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