1. The players lay exhausted on the field. Their hands were on their heads, their collars pulled up to hide their pained faces. The audience in the Emirates stands applauded, partly as encouragement, partly as thanks.
Arsenal's disappointment after draw with Southampton
Arsenal have just escaped defeat to bottom club Southampton after being 2 goals down. What was expected to be the perfect turnaround to close in on the Premier League title after 19 years has turned into a gruelling marathon.
Two goals from Odegaard and Bukayo Saka saved Arsenal at the right time. It was them between the 88th and 90th minutes that helped the "Gunners" avoid a humiliating defeat.
Now, the championship that London fans are waiting for will be decided at Etihad Stadium (2am on April 27), in the battle with Man City in round 33 of the Premier League.
After round 20, when Man City lost in the Manchester derby with MU, Arsenal created a safe distance of 8 points with second place in the table.
The gap is now down to five points, but Guardiola's side have two games to go to level with and overtake Arsenal.
Wednesday night will be a pivotal moment at the Etihad, where Arsenal have lost their last seven and have not scored since 2019. Their last win? It was all the way back in January 2015.
Therefore, it can be seen that this is not the best context for Arsenal to play the decisive match of the season.
2. In the battle for English football's most prestigious title, the leaders have squandered six points in their last three games and appear to be in a state of nervous breakdown. Before Southampton's comeback, they were beaten by Liverpool and West Ham when they were 2-0 up.
Gabriel Jesus blames losing points on youth and lack of experience
"We are the youngest team in the league. That's not an excuse, it's something to think about," said a frustrated Gabriel Jesus after the Southampton game, who at 26 and with 11 trophies in his football career (all won with Man City), is considered a "senior" in a team with an average age of 24.4.
The Brazilian striker then made another observation: "There are no champions in this team."
The bitter truth, that became clear in the fierce battle with Man City, the team that has won the most titles since 2010 among English football representatives (17 different cups).
The problem is lack of experience at some levels, such as Aaron Ramsdale, born in 1998. According to many, he is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League this season.
However, in the most recent game against Southampton, a mistake by Ramsdale led to a goal after just 27 seconds. And the gossip was unleashed: What has Aaron won in his life? Nothing.
"What do we expect from someone who was relegated twice with Bournemouth and Sheffield?", some hinted from the Premier League.
3. On the coaching bench, Mikel Arteta has won two Premier League titles, but as an assistant. Of whom? Pep Guardiola, the opponent he is about to face.
"I can't wait to play against Man City. When everything is ready, you have to go there to win. That's the beauty of this sport and we will create an incredible away game," Arteta tried to encourage the team.
How that will impact player morale and team tactics remains to be seen.
Premier League title to be decided at Etihad
In short, confidence around Arsenal - a team that many consider the most beautiful in European football, along with Napoli, in the national championship - is waning.
Jamie Carragher - who won every trophy at home and away with Liverpool, except the Premier League - believes Arteta needs a "miracle" if he is to get his hands on the title.
Gary Neville, former Manchester United defender and one of Sky Sports' most sought-after commentators, thinks differently: "Players have to recover for the game of their lives, they still have a chance."
According to Neville, Arteta and his team still have the power to decide: "It's not over yet and everything is in Arsenal's hands."
On Wednesday night, the eyes of the world turned to the Etihad, where the 2022-23 Premier League title will be decided.
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