Arsenal’s frontline is likely to be missing their three first-choice attackers against West Ham tomorrow, which is at least some small cause for optimism.
But it is the ‘scoreboard pressure’ applied by the title race that is possibly the Hammers’ best hope of victory at the Emirates.
To say that Liverpool are in a slump would be far too sensationalistic, but the Anfield club has left the door slightly ajar for Mikel Arteta’s team. The Gunners are eight points behind Arne Slot’s side but with a game in hand and the luxury of playing first.
They’ll be keen to get the jump on Liverpool before they face Manchester City on Sunday and apply a bit of scoreboard pressure themselves.
But if, during the course of the game against West Ham, things don’t go as planned, Arsenal and their players will start to feel the pressure of a third successive trophyless season. Whether it should be or not, the pressure is on Mikel Arteta to bring silverware to North London as the locals are starting to ask questions.
The Gooners probably should have won the league by now given their talent. Let’s not forget, our own team was partly responsible for them missing out in 22/23. Declan Rice played a key role that day and moved from West Ham to win trophies, so it must feel a little awkward that the only silverware he has won thus far was at little old West Ham.
Maybe I’m clutching at straws, but tomorrow’s Premier League game may not be the foregone conclusion many are expecting. That said, we’ll need to see a significant improvement on West Ham’s first-half performance against Brentford, and I think we will
It’s the hope that kills you. That little bit that nags at you – they have injury problems, no forwards, we have won here before – Listen to your head – we ain’t getting nothing except an increase in our goals against column
I don’t think Arsenal is must win but Leicester is.
I think he meant a “must win” for Arsenal’s Championship aspirations.