Arsenal’s top four challenge is real
By Aman Sridhar
Arsenal put in an impressive performance to beat Tottenham on Sunday, showing their top four challenge has real legs.
Arsenal have made a habit of slow starts to matches this season. Against their biggest rivals, such sluggishness was far more likely to be punished. As it was, the Gunners started well and still found themselves trailing at halftime.
After a frantic opening period where it seemed the players were as eager as the crowd to make a real impact, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang settled the nerves for Arsenal with a well taken penalty. From then on it might have looked like Arsenal were going to coast to a victory. Tottenham, in an effort to gain control looked uneasy on the ball, consistently gifting possession back. But Tottenham did fight back, continuing to show their incredible united mentality this season. They weren’t going to roll over. Arsenal tailed off, ceding control to Tottenham who duly obliged, dominating the play and totally deserving their halftime lead.
Unai Emery recognized that a change was needed and threw on Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette for Alex Iwobi and the ineffective Henrik Mkhitaryan, and the game turned on its head. Ramsey chipped in with a decisive double assist and Lacazette scored the goal that gave Arsenal the lead.
From then on, the game was over. Tottenham fought hard in an effort to get back on level terms, but never really had the impact they would have wanted. They were thrown off their game by a spirited Arsenal side. It was Arsenal who dominated possession, had more shots and had a much larger impact on the game.
What this performance truly personified is the united spirit and energy Arsenal have developed under Emery. It was the second half that truly symbolized who Arsenal have become under Emery. The manager knows how to make an impact, and is not afraid to make big, risky decisions. So far, they have worked out wonderfully for Arsenal, and will continue to do so considering the quality of Arsenal’s individual players. The Emirates has become a real fortress this season and Arsenal have developed into a real team.
Arsenal’s form combined with their energetic and enthusiastic style of play has made them into real contenders for the top four. Many Arsenal fans would say that this is where Arsenal belong. But after the departure of an influential manager like Arsene Wenger, it was hard to see Arsenal having such a dramatic impact on the Premier League so soon.
Considering how below average the same crop of players were last season, it wouldn’t have been farfetched to imagine Arsenal being content to fight it out for the Europa League this season. Instead they’re in the reckoning for the top four along with Chelsea and Tottenham, and will be extremely optimistic for the rest of the season.
This season, Arsenal have lost to Chelsea, Chelsea have lost to Tottenham and Tottenham have lost to Arsenal. This is indicative of how competitive it is at the top of the table. More importantly, it’s indicative of the battle that lies ahead for all three London teams. The fixtures against each other is going to be the true determiner as to who finishes up in the Champions League spots.
Considering it’s a transitionary period for all three clubs, this would have been the realistic expectations for all three. But none would have just how competitive it would have been. Neutrals truly have Arsenal to thank for that. Their fight, bite and vigor have made the Premier League a truly entertaining spectacle again.