We May Not Win Title – But The Arsenal Are Here To Stay

We’re one result away from winning the title for the first time in two decades.

It’s what has prompted me to write a blog for the first time in 9 months.

The problem is – that one result isn’t in our hands.

In fact, it’s highly likely that the result we need won’t happen and we’ll be bridesmaids for the second year in a row.

This isn’t negativity. It’s just raw data.

Manchester City are one result away from achieving the first back-to-back Double.

They are one result away from winning the League four times in a row – which has also never happened before.

Like it or not – we’re battling an absolute beast which has an innate ability to get business done.

The last four seasons, from January onwards? City pick up results with a regularity that is bordering on obsessive. They rarely slip up.

They’ve lost 7 games in the last four seasons from January to the season’s end. That sounds like a lot – but considering that is seven games in a combined total of 70-odd games? When the pressure is on from Liverpool and Arsenal breathing down their necks and also a continued presence in the knockout stages of the Champions League?

It is a new level we haven’t seen before – like it or not.

It’s sustained. It’s constant.

And duking it out with that level of intensity with very little error?

It is insanely difficult to top.

It has a positive effect too. Liverpool and Arsenal have had to elevate themselves to put up a worthy resistance to this juggernaut. Without taking steps forward, City would have won the last five or six titles by Christmas.

Whether we get that hefty dose of luck or not?

I’m still beaming with pride at this team – which has more plusses than City’s does at this point.

We have a central defensive partnership that is showing signs of being the most formidable in recent times in the PL. We’re talking Vidic-Ferdinand. Terry-Carvalho. Adams-Keown.

Saliba and Gabriel are rightfully in the mix as the best that have done it. Away clean sheet record? Broken. Blunted world-class attacks? Check in their pockets. If they maintain it next season, it will have been three seasons that they have had zero peers.

Then there’s our core.

Captain Odegaard, creating as many chances as De Bruyne and Fernandes. Ball control that could easily grace any team in the world.

Bukayo Saka achieving consistent numbers that put him in the top echelons for goals and assists.

Declan Rice destroying attacks and being an outlet in the final third, a maestro of a midfielder that could easily be any team’s 6 or 8.

Ben White facing the haters and showing his class, week in and week out, proving that £50m tag was a steal.

Not to mention Trossard, Martinelli, Tomiyasu, Raya.

We have a group of players who are happily tied down and believe in the project.

A project that is blossoming and making perpetual progress.

So we may not win the title – but there is no-one who could argue that The Arsenal aren’t back.

And next season, the incline will continue.

We’ve pushed City hard for the last two seasons – and next year we’ll be even better.

And who knows? Those FA charges might be actioned in the next few decades – we might be awarded it anyway…