The Bottlers

How Arsenal threw away the Premier League Title

J. C. Lai 

AFTER ARSENAL’S LOSS AGAINST NOTTINGHAM FOREST LAST SATURDAY NIGHT, MANCHESTER CITY HAS BEEN CROWNED PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW. Having seemingly secured the title, holding an 8-point advantage over second place Manchester City with only 9 games to go, the Gunners ostensibly had their hands on the Premier League trophy for the first time in 19 years. However, a shocking collapse in form towards the back end of the season saw the team who were at the top of the table for 248 days, ‘bottle’ the league, setting a new record amount of time for a Premier League team to be on top of the table without winning the title. Their appalling dip in form raises the questions: ‘what caused Arsenal’s downfall and what now?’

Squad Depth

Despite bringing on key reinforcements to the squad at the start of the season, including Jesus, Zinczenko, and Saliba, as well as Belgian winger Trossard and Italian midfielder Jorginho during the winter transfer window, losses to long term veterans Lacazette, Leno, Aubameyang, and Bellerin saw the Gunners lack the necessary squad depth for a championship contending squad. Compared to City’s 25-man team, including an array of quality players on the bench, such as world cup winner Alvarez and wonderkid Foden, the three-time champions were much more equipped to stay fit and replace injuries and transfers. Such can be seen during City fullback Cancelo’s abrupt loan on deadline day to Bayern Munich, where traditional centre backs Akanji and Stones were able to fill in the spot. On the other hand, Arsenal injuries, as seen in Saliba, Jesus, Smith-Rowe, and Nketiah, led to a starting eleven which lacked the firepower needed to maintain their lead towards the backend of the season. 

Inexperience

Having the youngest squad in the league, with an average age of 24.4, is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it brings a load of potential to a squad which will surely rise in quality for the coming years. However, it also brings a lack of experience and the winning mentality required to compete for the title. Coupled with an inexperienced manager in Mikel Arteta, a squad lacking the familiarity of winning a major trophy, apart from their run in the FA cup during 2019/20 season, did not possess the perseverance and longevity to compete all year round. Contrasted by Manchester City, who had won the Premier League title 4 times in the past 5 years and possesses one of the most renowned managers in Pep Guardiola, the experience present within the team was a key contributor to their third consecutive title.

So, what now?

The upcoming break and transfer window will give the Gunners the necessary time to regroup and recover, as well as bring in additions to increase the team’s depth. Having been linked with West Ham skipper Declan Rice to bring in the necessary quality for a weak midfield and English international Tomori for the depth needed for Arsenal’s defence, as well as a growing and maturing squad that is quickly gaining experience and gelling as a team, we will surely see the Gunners compete for the title in no time.