Arsenal's title bid stalled as Champions League offers redemption
Arsenal’s tittle run staggering has he suffers a defeat.
LONDON -- Arsenal have a week to prove they aren't April fools. For the second year in succession, the Gunners entered this month targeting glory at home and abroad.
But Sunday's 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa leaves Mikel Arteta's side facing a week to save their season, and the Spaniard knows it. With trips to Bayern Munich and Wolverhampton Wanderers to come in the next six days, an apocalyptic scenario could see Arsenal's season suddenly fizzle out.
"If one result is going to do that then we are not strong enough," Arteta said. "That's very simple. "We don't have any other solution. If you want to win championships, if you want to be there in the Champions League, when you have these moments you have to stand up. If not that means that you don't have a quality that is very necessary. Now it's a big test for us."
The symmetry with last season is of significant concern. It is precisely a year ago since Arsenal were embarking on a run of three wins from their final nine league games which handed the title to Manchester City and once again Pep Guardiola's charges are in pole position at the end of a weekend when both their main rivals lost at home.
Villa were excellent here, limiting the home side to just four shots in the second half as their bravery in possession, high defensive line and willingness to commit players forward rocked the home side back. They played with a poise and conviction that Arsenal need to display in a title race of such fine margins.
The Gunners wasted good early opportunities. Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka both hit the side netting as Martin Odegaard glided in between the lines with eye-catching ease. Yet the stability provided by the Gabriel/William Saliba center-back partnership in recent weeks was lacking as the former gifted Ollie Watkins a chance to remind Arsenal of the threat Villa posed, striking the inside of the post with a 39th-minute shot which spread doubt throughout Arteta's side.
Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez saved brilliantly from Leandro Trossard a minute later before Saka curled an effort just wide but after the break, Villa asserted an impressive level of authority on proceedings. Substitute Leon Bailey struck with six minutes remaining before Watkins lifted a brilliant finish over David Raya as the Gunners were caught on the counter-attack while chasing the game.
Meanwhile, Man City's relentless and proven consistency at this stage of the season makes every defeat feel like a disaster. Similarly, Arsenal's faltering steps of 12 months ago once again leaves them vulnerable to the accusation that they cannot execute their best performances under maximum pressure.
Improvements appeared to have been made in that regard. The character, experience and resolve of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz has given Arsenal a different feel for a lot of this season. But now is the time when that question will be asked loudest.
Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal tie is finely poised at 2-2 from the first leg. In the Premier League, Wolves beat City and Tottenham at home earlier this season and will enjoy a clear week to prepare for Saturday night under the lights at Molineux.
Belief is absolutely paramount to reversing the momentum that their season could be slipping away from them. Arteta did his best to sound defiant when it was put to him that City have the title in their hands once again….After losing any game the players are frustrated and sad," Arteta said. "But we have a beautiful opportunity that hasn't happened for 14 years in this club to go to the semifinals of the Champions League. It couldn't come READ MORE
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