TAKE THE CRUSHING defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City out of the equation and Arsenal would easily have the best defensive record in the Premier League. Even taking the 11 goals they conceded in just two games into account, their record of conceding less than a goal a game (.97) is second only to Chelsea’s (.77).
They have kept a clean sheet 13 times this season — joint most in the league — and conceded just the one on a further 12 occasions (one fewer than Chelsea). Arsene Wenger’s men are significantly stingier than their other two title rivals Manchester City (11 and 8) and Liverpool (9 and 9).
That Arsenal aren’t in the swashbuckling all-out-attack mode of recent years is clear but it has, at least, resulted in a defence that — when at it’s best — is a match for any team in the league.
2. Fate almost in their own hands
If Arsenal beat Chelsea this lunchtime, and both sides win their remaining games, then only Manchester City can top the Gunners’ points total — though Liverpool can match it — and even then City would have to beat the likes of Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United to secure maximum points.
Advertisement
With Hull, West Brom and Norwich making up three of their last four games — and Arsenal’s record against teams in the bottom half is the best in the division — a good end to March could set them up perfectly for a title challenge.
3. Arsene Wenger’s experience
Paul Barker / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Paul Barker / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
It’s been a career of two halves at Arsenal for Wenger but it’s hard to argue with any manager who reaches 1,000 games with a single club. And while the world has changed a lot since 2005 — no Twitter and Ireland still awash with cash — it takes a manager of immense ability to produce 18 consecutive seasons of finishing in the top four including, of course, an unbeaten one.
WWWWDDWWWDWWWDDWDWWDWWWWWWWWWDWDWDDDWW
They may not have won the league in a decade but Wenger has shown an ability to adapt and, with the loss of some key players to injury for some of the run in, that’s a trait he’s going to have to rely heavily on if he’s to claim his fourth title.
4. Ability to score from anywhere
While they only have one individual player in the top ten goalscorers in the Premier League (and only two in the top 20), no team have had as many different names on the score sheet than Arsenal this season. Indeed, no fewer than 16 different players have scored in the league which compares favourably to Chelsea (13), Manchester City (13) and Liverpool (11).
What’s been even more noticeable for Arsenal though is that when one player finds form and then inevitably gets injured — this is Arsenal — or went off the boil, another has been there to step up to the plate. Mesut Özil’s goals were replaced by Aaron Ramsey’s, were replaced by Jack Wilshire, etc, etc.
5. Seeing out games
Only Liverpool (22) have scored first more often than Arsenal (20) but while Brendan Rodgers’ men have failed to see out a game four times, the same fate has only befallen Arsenal twice and they’ve gained an impressive 55 points from 60, a league-leading average of 2.75 per game.
That compares favourably to Chelsea (2.63), Manchester City (2.60) and Liverpool (2.55) and is a streak the Gunners will have to maintain if they’re to maintain their title challenge.
So, what to you think. Can Arsene Wenger end a decade long wait and win the Premier League? Let us know in the comments below.
Note: We’ll be making the case for each team in the top four over the next two days.
Title race: 5 reasons why Arsenal can win the Premier League
1. A tight defence
TAKE THE CRUSHING defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City out of the equation and Arsenal would easily have the best defensive record in the Premier League. Even taking the 11 goals they conceded in just two games into account, their record of conceding less than a goal a game (.97) is second only to Chelsea’s (.77).
They have kept a clean sheet 13 times this season — joint most in the league — and conceded just the one on a further 12 occasions (one fewer than Chelsea). Arsene Wenger’s men are significantly stingier than their other two title rivals Manchester City (11 and 8) and Liverpool (9 and 9).
That Arsenal aren’t in the swashbuckling all-out-attack mode of recent years is clear but it has, at least, resulted in a defence that — when at it’s best — is a match for any team in the league.
2. Fate almost in their own hands
If Arsenal beat Chelsea this lunchtime, and both sides win their remaining games, then only Manchester City can top the Gunners’ points total — though Liverpool can match it — and even then City would have to beat the likes of Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United to secure maximum points.
With Hull, West Brom and Norwich making up three of their last four games — and Arsenal’s record against teams in the bottom half is the best in the division — a good end to March could set them up perfectly for a title challenge.
3. Arsene Wenger’s experience
It’s been a career of two halves at Arsenal for Wenger but it’s hard to argue with any manager who reaches 1,000 games with a single club. And while the world has changed a lot since 2005 — no Twitter and Ireland still awash with cash — it takes a manager of immense ability to produce 18 consecutive seasons of finishing in the top four including, of course, an unbeaten one.
They may not have won the league in a decade but Wenger has shown an ability to adapt and, with the loss of some key players to injury for some of the run in, that’s a trait he’s going to have to rely heavily on if he’s to claim his fourth title.
4. Ability to score from anywhere
While they only have one individual player in the top ten goalscorers in the Premier League (and only two in the top 20), no team have had as many different names on the score sheet than Arsenal this season. Indeed, no fewer than 16 different players have scored in the league which compares favourably to Chelsea (13), Manchester City (13) and Liverpool (11).
What’s been even more noticeable for Arsenal though is that when one player finds form and then inevitably gets injured — this is Arsenal — or went off the boil, another has been there to step up to the plate. Mesut Özil’s goals were replaced by Aaron Ramsey’s, were replaced by Jack Wilshire, etc, etc.
5. Seeing out games
Only Liverpool (22) have scored first more often than Arsenal (20) but while Brendan Rodgers’ men have failed to see out a game four times, the same fate has only befallen Arsenal twice and they’ve gained an impressive 55 points from 60, a league-leading average of 2.75 per game.
That compares favourably to Chelsea (2.63), Manchester City (2.60) and Liverpool (2.55) and is a streak the Gunners will have to maintain if they’re to maintain their title challenge.
So, what to you think. Can Arsene Wenger end a decade long wait and win the Premier League? Let us know in the comments below.
Note: We’ll be making the case for each team in the top four over the next two days.
Title race: 5 reasons why Liverpool can win the Premier League
The Boys In Green are heading back to Gelsenkirchen 26 years after Wim Kieft’s goal
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Barclays Premier League Could they? Football Soccer Talking Points Arsenal title race