Arsenal hit self-destruct button as title race hots up

First things first: Arsenal’s destiny remains in their hands. If they win their final seven matches of the league season, they win the title. The problem is fate is on Manchester City’s side. The champions, who raced into a three-goal lead yesterday against Leicester, find themselves in an ideal position, knowing what needs to be done to retain their crown.

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Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead against West Ham on Sunday and for the second successive match are left to rue a missed opportunity to widen the gap. The business end of the season is not the ideal time to lose momentum, and Arsenal look like a team shot to pieces and confidence. By contrast, City aided by their experience of going the distance in a title race, look a team that can be trusted to finish the job.

Title run-ins are not for the faint hearted. Twists and turns are to be expected, matches do not always go the way form suggests, and doubts often creep into the minds of players. What is going through the minds of Arsenal players and manager Mikel Arteta, is no different to what teams of yesteryear had to endure in getting over the line. It does not help for Arsenal that their most influential defender, William Saliba, has been ruled out of action since the international break and there is no news yet on his return. Arteta will be hoping he could name him for the Manchester City clash in a fortnight’s time, but at what cost?