Arsenal notched another win at the weekend and are moving closer to achieving the ultimate domestic honour. As we reach the business end of the season, it becomes a question of how they will handle the expectations that has been placed on them. For a team that many predicted to finish outside the top four, the situation is quite different now.
As a result of the brilliant season they are having, the Gunners find themselves in a tough position. If they win, people will say that other teams haven’t been good enough. But if they lose, it will become a case of them folding under pressure. So, either way, the media, other fans and so on will look to change the goalposts regardless of what happens. How does a team respond to this?
Focusing On The Challenge
One of the best parts of this squad so far is how they have managed the title challenge. They have not let the pressure get to them. It is all about taking one game at a time and it is good to see the players understand the importance of this mentality. After every game, when they are questioned by the media, the answer they give is reassuring.
Once you start letting the outside voices get to you, it can become hard to stay on track. This is especially true when you are dealing with a juggernaut known as Manchester City. For Pep Guardiola, he has seen countless title challenges and knows exactly what is going to happen. So, it is easier for the former Barcelona manager to keep his players focused. You would think that this would make the job of Mikel Arteta much harder, but that hasn’t been the case.
The title is not yet done despite there being only nine games left. The north Londoners have three very tough away matches coming up. Going to play City, Liverpool and Newcastle United is never easy and it will certainly decide where the title ends up going. But for Arsenal, they have a crucial weapon on their hands.
The Arteta Factor
It might sound a bit too much given how much praise Arteta has been receiving this season. He has already won four manager of the month awards, which shows that the general public has caught on how well he’s been doing. But there is another reason why the Gunners have done well so far. It is the ability of Arteta to take the pressure away from the players.
To put it simply, you could just say that the players listen to him but there is more to this. To get a squad that was fractured, aimless etc to believe in a common goal in itself is a great achievement. But the fact that the players seem to give their all for the manager is a matter of great pride.
Arteta has been able to get the squad increase the belief in themselves while not getting carried away. The work they have been putting in the training ground is visible in how well it translates to the pitch. Without faith in the manager, this would not be possible. If you need to see one player who embodies this, look no further than Granit Xhaka.
The Swiss Maestro
It is a story that has almost been discussed to death but the redemption that Xhaka has had in the last couple of seasons, deserves a movie of its own. We sometimes do not understand just how unbelievable it has been. A player that publicly fought with the club’s fans is one of the most beloved members of the squad now.
The biggest factor in this situation becoming a reality is the role of Arteta. First, it was to convince the midfielder to stay. That would have been tough given how contentious that period was for both the player and the club. But to see how that relationship between the player and the fans has changed for the better, is quite inspiring.
The other role that Arteta had to play was the change in role for the Swiss international. By having him play in a more advanced role, the manager has unlocked an attacking side we had seldom seen. That is visible in the number of goals that has been scored as well as his general attacking output.
The Roar Of The Emirates
For a long time, the Emirates was criticised for not having a great atmosphere. It was compared to the particularly intimate setting of Highbury which everyone had fond memories of. There were a number of reasons for why this was the case. To begin with, it takes time for a connection to be established. The second is that the on-field results need to motivate the fans.
All of that has come together beautifully this season as there is a real harmony between those on the pitch and those in the stands. Even when the north Londoners concede, the noise of the home fans does not go down. They know that this team is a different breed and so, have a lot of faith in them.
The sheer demand that one can see for tickets is further proof of how much the fans are willing to do for their idols. Arsenal tickets have become one of the most in-demand items in the country. If you are able to get one, you need to consider yourself as being lucky. Long may this trend continue as it is a good omen for the future.
The Exuberance Of Youth
One of the common criticisms that we can see about the Gunners is that they are too young and as a result of that, lack experience. That completely negates the fact that quite a few players in this team have won a domestic league at some point in their careers. This thought that a young team will find it difficult to handle pressure is a bit simplistic to be honest.
If you look at this from a different point of view, you will understand that the exuberance these players have is actually an asset for them. Also, apart from this enthusiasm, it is clear to see that the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have the maturity needed. So, the question of youth being a problem should not affect the north Londoners.
Conclusion
It is important to note that the season does have more twists and turns going forward. But to say that this squad cannot handle the pressure is just plain wrong. City might still walk away with the title but the sheer effort and perseverance that Arteta has extracted from this squad is nothing short of admirable. Even if the club ends this season trophyless, the signs are they aren’t going away from the top.
Arsenal have shown what it takes to challenge the might of a team such as City even when others haven’t been able to. Taking all that into account, fans can be assured that they are supporting a team that is not backing down from the fight. If they can show the same desire and passion till the end of May, the reward will be beautiful. There is a long way to go but maybe, the fans have started to believe and that is quite a beautiful feeling to have.
