After their convincing win against Liverpool on Sunday, Arsenal seem to be in good spirits with them just 2 points off of top spot in the league.
Arsenal's win against Liverpool on Sunday was not solely to gain three points, but seemed to also send a message that they can get the job done against these big clubs. Arsenal has been a team this season in which have had consistantly good performances and have softened out their blemishes for the most part in order to give themselves a fighting chance at competing for the league, even more so than last year.
For one, they have had a problem up front with a lack of goals being scored by their designated striker, Gabriel Jesus. So far this season, Gabriel Jesus has 4 goals and 3 assists in 17 Premier League games. In comparison, his North London counterpart Richarlison has 10 goals and 3 assists in 20 Premier League games, all being the same age as Jesus.
These lack of goals have meant that their other attackers have had to step up so far this season. One example of a player who has stepped up is Bukayo Saka on the right wing, who has registered 8 goals and 7 assists in 22 Premier League games so far this season.
Despite this, their goals in the league so far this season in 47 is the least of anyone in the top 5 of the Premier League. Arteta however has combatted against teams a dofferent way.
Arsenal have the best defense in the league with them conceding the least amount of goals in the league at 22 so far in 23 games. This has included the Gunners taking 8 clean sheets so far in the Premier League, meaning 36% of their matches have ended with a cleansheet for the Gunners in the league.
Despite this impressive stat, there were teams they could not put away. Earlier in the season, with them both sitting at the top on points, Arsenal could not offload Tottenham Hotspur and Ange Postecoglou and had to settle for a share of points. Additionally, they also had succumbed to a disappointing defeat to then 3rd placed Aston Villa away at Villa Park. Yet, they were also ae to knock off Manchester City in a cagey affair at the Emirates earlier in the season, showing that they are capable at defeating a rival gunning for the title.
The second half of the season is going to be telling for Mikel Arteta and the Gunners. If they can show the mental strength to get the wine when the eyes are on them and the pressure is fully on, which they have struggled with since their last league title back in 2004, then they could pull off the impossible, however before then, it's anyone's ballgame.
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