Can Arsenal Hang On To Their Premier League Lead
They may be having the best season they have enjoyed for some time, but still, soccer fans continue to question if Arsenal can end their 19-year wait for a Premier League title. The London-based club has been extremely impressive in their surprise title challenge this season, but they have yet to shake off the attention of the all-dominant defending champions, Manchester City.
Managed by the legendary coach Pep Guardiola, City has won four of the last five Premier League titles and continues to breathe down the necks of their rivals going into the home stretch of the season.
Arsenal’s Rejuvenation
Three-time Premier League winners, Arsenal were once the most feared team in the Premier League, but in recent years they have endured a steady fall from grace. This fact was proven by the large outright betting odds on the Gunners at the start of the season. However, for those interested in betting sport markets and the Premier League in particular, the league leaders are now available at a price of -163 to win the league.
Arsenal appointed their former player Mikel Arteta as their new boss in December 2019, but the young Spanish coach didn’t enjoy much success in his first years in charge, and could only finish fifth in the 2021/22 season.
The club’s decision to keep Arteta in his position has proved to be a masterstroke this season, with the former Man City assistant coach leading his team of young stars to 22 wins from their first 28 games.
Can The Gunners Hang On?
“Arsenal – Emirates Stadium” (CC BY 2.0) by p_a_h
It would be understandable if Mikel Arteta and his squad may be starting to feel the pressure. Given the success that the club has enjoyed in the past, and having struggled to compete with its top-four rivals in recent years, nerves are bound to creep in.
Arsenal does have some players at the club that are used to winning big trophies, but in the main, their squad is full of players that are having their first taste of life at the top end of the table.
Former Man City star Oleksandr Zinchenko and January signing Jorginho have been there and done it in their careers, so Arteta will be hoping that both players can have a huge influence on their teammates in the remaining games.
Arteta has demanded high standards from his players all season, and so far he has not been let down. It is amazing to think that the Gunners’ boss was facing the chop not that long ago, with fans calling for his head after a disappointing fifth-place finish last season, but that’s why the world of sports is so unpredictable.
Now, however, Arteta has got the fans back on his side and the Arsenal faithful are once again dreaming of Premier League glory. It would be an incredible achievement for a young manager like Arteta were his team to hang on to their lead, and it would be even more special for the Spaniard if he puts one over on his former mentor, Guardiola.
