Defining weeks for title-chasing teams usually come towards the end of the season when pressure really bites.
Of course, no one wins a title in September, but, for Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta, the next seven days carry an undeniable importance and expectation. Maybe not defining or pivotal – but certainly vital to the overall picture come next May.
Starting with today’s north London derby at Tottenham and next Sunday’s trip to Manchester City Arsenal can’t miss a beat – especially after their fortunate pre-international draw with Brighton. The Gunners must dig deep, find a solution for whatever injuries captain Martin Odegaard and new signing Riccardo Calafiori may be carrying, and show in these next two matches that they’re capable of taking the giant leap from nearly men to champions.
Because, when you’re battling Pep Guardiola for the Premier League title, there’s no safety net and no margin for error. Lose a couple of games and a desperately difficult task becomes nearly impossible. Lose three or four over a season, and your chance has almost certainly gone. That’s all down to Guardiola and the standards he sets at City.
It’s a battle Jurgen Klopp had to fight when Liverpool slugged it out with Guardiola, most notably in 2019 when they reached 97 points and lost out to City’s 98.
Now, Klopp’s fight has become Arteta’s and the Spaniard knows his team will have to be near-perfect to become champions this season.
Even before Klopp waved farewell, Arteta and Arsenal had emerged as City’s main challengers. Swift and cleverly planned improvement and progress by Arteta edged Arsenal closer last season. But the crucial next step is all about how they manage a week that starts at Tottenham today.
People might say Arsenal can put a marker down if they beat Spurs, and then get a result at the Etihad. But it will be a marker only for themselves. Because I am certain Arteta will have told his squad they are competing against themselves this season – no one else.
It’s clear how far they have come and they are now in the title conversation year on year. The next part – becoming champions – is the hardest because everyone knows what City do. They stay right in the race and are pretty much flawless in the last 10 to 12 games, and it’s been the key to success in the closing stages of the season.
That seems a long way off from now, but it’s why this next week holds so much significance. And, despite the hiccup against Brighton, I’m sure Arsenal will re-set and rely on the structure and patterns of play that make them City’s most dangerous challenger.
They have a strong spine to the team and, although critics highlight the lack of a high-scoring No.9, they have a good balance.
Kai Havertz has certainly exceeded my expectations after his move from Chelsea. I didn’t see him having a big impact, but he managed 13 league goals last season, dovetails superbly with Bukayo Saka and offers a different threat to a traditional No.9.
I’m sure Ivan Toney could have been an option, if Arteta had wanted him, but, as City proved in the time after Sergio Aguero and before Erling Haaland, titles can be won without an out-and-out centre-forward. It’s all about balance and, with the pace of Gabriel Martinelli complementing Saka and Havertz, it means Arsenal have speed and astute cleverness in that final third.
Allied to a big work rate, sound temperament and composure, they’ve turned winning into a habit.
Let’s not write off Tottenham today, though. So far it’s been an underwhelming start, but I’m sure Ange Postecoglou will be relishing Arsenal’s visit.
Tottenham still miss Harry Kane’s goals, but what team wouldn’t? Son needs help in attack. Arsenal may not need a serious No.9 – but Spurs do. Whether that’s £60million summer signing Dominic Solanke, only time will tell.
One thing is for sure, today is the day when Arteta and his Gunners must show that they can take it up a gear.
If they don’t, you can be sure that the Tottenham fans won’t be the only ones who are smiling at 4pm today!
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