Football
a year ago

Why losing the league might be the best for Arsenal

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With the clash between Arsenal and Manchester City ending up in a 4-1 defeat for Arsenal, the Premier League title is virtually settled, and City are almost certain to lift the trophy again this year.

Arsenal have been waiting 19 years for a title since their famous invincible campaign, and yet, they may be missing out on the title this year, which will be the best thing for them!

While many have been sceptical of Arsenal repeating their heroics from this year in the next season but with Mikel Arteta and co at the helm, this new generation consisting of the likes of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba, and others have a higher ceiling than what this season has demonstrated.

The bulk of the Arsenal squad is under 25 years old, and they have the youngest squad in the division, which begets the question, what could this bunch do when they mature properly?

And that is exactly why they need to lose this league title. This is the first time they are facing the pressure of a title charge, and that too from serial winners Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

While Arsenal’s season has gone great, there are still several chinks in their armour, one of which is their lack of squad depth. Saliba’s injury has seen them drop six points in three matches and potentially the title because the Frenchman has been pivotal in the system that Arteta implies, and Rob Holding simply has not been good enough.

If they win the title, complacency might creep through the management, meaning there might not be summer reinforcements to better the squad, which will eventually be detrimental to their success in the long term.

Also, winning the league so early might hinder the growth of their young prospects, who have been brilliant thus far this season. However, a title win might trigger a feeling of their work being done, which will inadvertently hamper them from reaching their full potential.

It comes down to Arteta too. The Spaniard has been absolutely brilliant, turning jeers into cheers since his appointment. But his tactics and management are yet to cross the threshold of maturity, and a league title will not hand him that, but a crushing missing out on the league will.

All of those might not come true, and Arsenal may just go from strength to strength after winning the title, but it is undeniable that the Gunners will have several upsides to look at even if they are likely to lose the title.

Even a year ago, they were the butt of all jokes, as nobody believed Arsenal could turn things around and become a title contender. They turned the picture around and showed that the Arsenal feared around England was back.

That might not be enough for them to win the league because Guardiola has made Premier League a cakewalk, as it would be his fifth title in his seventh year in England.

However, looking at this season, Arsenal can be proud of them, whatever colour the stripes on the trophy are after the season end.

In two years, Arteta has transformed Arsenal into a winning side. And even if they don’t win the title this year, with their upward curve, it might not be long before they do.

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