May 20th 2024.
It was another close but no cigar finish for Arsenal in the Premier League as they once again secured second place. The unfortunate runners-up found themselves trailing behind Manchester City, who seemed to have an unstoppable winning streak under the guidance of Pep Guardiola. This was evidenced by their final match against West Ham, where they emerged victorious with a 3-1 score.
Although Arsenal has undoubtedly made significant progress under the leadership of Mikel Arteta, they couldn't help but feel a little disappointed with their finish. Especially since City finished with 91 points, which is actually slightly lower than their usual winning average. The Gunners had been near perfect in the second half of the season, but a few mistakes proved to be costly in the end. Let's take a closer look at the games that potentially cost them the title.
The first game that stands out is the 2-2 draw against Fulham back in August. It was a shocker for Arsenal as Joao Palhinha scored the equalizer for the Cottagers. And it could have all been different if Arteta had not chosen to exile Gabriel Magalhaes, who was rumored to be seeking a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. This decision left Arsenal with a makeshift defense, with the added blow of injured summer signing Jurrien Timber. To make matters worse, Thomas Partey was playing at right-back, which proved to be a costly selection as they ended up settling for a draw.
Next up was the game against Chelsea in October. After their fortunate win against Manchester City, Arsenal was in a buoyant mood. And they were heavily favored to secure a win against a struggling Chelsea team. However, they delivered one of their worst performances of the season and found themselves trailing 2-0 with only 10 minutes left. A late comeback, thanks to a dreadful error from Robert Sanchez, secured a point for Arsenal, but it was clear that they needed all three to keep their title hopes alive.
In December, Arsenal faced West Ham, and it was yet another game that highlighted their Achilles heel – shooting themselves in the foot. After a bright start, a mix-up between Gabriel and Oleksandr Zinchenko allowed Jarrod Bowen to score for the Hammers. Despite multiple opportunities to equalize, Arsenal eventually conceded from a corner, sealing their fate with a 2-0 loss. And just three days later, they suffered another defeat against Fulham, which seemed to be a significant blow to their title hopes.
But the Gunners didn't let these losses get them down. After a rejuvenating winter break, they arrived at the Etihad with a sensational eight-game winning streak and a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals. With key players like Ederson, Kyle Walker, and John Stones missing for City, Arsenal had a chance to shake their confidence. However, Arteta opted for a safety-first approach, resulting in a goalless draw. Although it kept them in the running, it ultimately meant they needed a perfect finish to have a chance at the title.
And finally, there was the game against Aston Villa in April. After seeing Liverpool lose to Crystal Palace, Arsenal knew they had to step up their game. But Arteta's decision to shift Kai Havertz back into midfield to accommodate Gabriel Jesus proved to be costly. And it's a decision that will likely haunt him all summer, considering how well Havertz had been performing at center forward. Despite their dominance in the first half, Arsenal couldn't make it count, and Villa's tactical change in the second half led to their downfall. Two late goals sealed the deal for Villa, and the sight of the Emirates Stadium emptying out spoke volumes of the hope that was lost in an instant.
In conclusion, although Arsenal had a successful season, there were a few key games where they faltered. And those few mistakes proved to be costly in their pursuit of the Premier League title. But with the progress they've made under Arteta, there's hope for the future. Let's see what next season brings for the Gunners.
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