Looking To Go The Distance – The Word On Arsenal
- Arsenal will be the visitors to King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off)
- The Gunners are looking to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League
- The Evening Standard’s Simon Collings has assessed the north Londoners’ title bid
- Manager Mikel Arteta’s work has lifted the side into a promising position, he says
A recent run of three league games without a win put the north Londoners on the back foot and briefly lifted Manchester City into top spot, before Mikel Arteta’s men got back on track via their dramatic 4-2 victory over Aston Villa last weekend.
Now heading into Saturday’s meeting with Leicester City holding a two-point cushion with a game in hand, there is a feeling growing among the Gunners’ supporters that this may well be their year to win the ultimate domestic prize once again.
Collings told LCFC Radio’s Matchday Live ahead of the 3pm kick-off: “I think in the first half of the season, when Arsenal were at the top of the table, fans were just enjoying the ride with a carefree attitude of seeing where the ride takes us.
“Now we’re getting towards the business end of the season, there’s suddenly the thought that this could be done and the pressure is mounting.
“The atmosphere at Arsenal has been brilliant all season, but in the last few games, you have felt the tension creeping in and that’s what you get from being in a title race. Off the back of that Villa result, the mood has improved and there’s a sense that they can try and build up momentum, which had been lost by losing to Manchester City.
“I don’t think the players will be impacted. At the moment, Arsenal have steadied themselves after a rocky patch, but the pressure will really start to crank up. You’ve got two teams with completely contrasting styles and experience.”
Arteta, taking on his first managerial role, is coming up against an old friend and colleague at Manchester City in fellow Spaniard Pep Guardiola, with the pair now direct rivals in the title race.
Collings explained: “Arteta has got experience of being an assistant at Man City, but being in the midst of a title race, particularly when we get to those final 10 games, it’s going to be interesting to see how he reacts and how the team copes.
“Mind games come into it, Guardiola and Man City have been there. Will he be able to hold his nerve? The way he is on the touchline has been in the spotlight a lot this season, but since he came into the job in December 2019, he hasn’t changed. He’s always been like this – incredibly animated and exceptionally passionate.”
The difference between this Arsenal team and ones seen at Emirates Stadium in recent years is stark, according to Collins, who praised the club for the way they have been able to shape together a hungry, young squad with talent across the pitch.
“It’s hugely exciting,” he continued. “There’s just something about young players who are going out there and expressing themselves. Everyone thinks of the 'Class of '92' at Man Utd, and for Arsenal, these players have really connected with the fans, I think because this group is so likeable.
“That’s something that was lost towards the end of the [Arsène] Wenger era and certainly in the Unai Emery time. There wasn’t that bond between the supporters and the players.
“These players don’t have any scars from previous title failures or not getting over the line. They are going into this with a fresh pair of eyes and that can be to their advantage. They don’t have any fear - they haven’t shown it so far. They’re growing with every game you see them.”
A lot of responsibility falls on the shoulders of young England winger Bukayo Saka, who continues to flourish on the right side of Arsenal’s attack, contributing nine goals and eight assists in this season’s Premier League alone.
“The big one really is Bukayo Saka,” Collings added. “Everyone knows how good he’s been – he’s always had the talent and the ability - but this season I really feel like he’s stepped up another level and accepted the fact that he is the team’s talisman.
“When they are struggling or down, he will be the player they turn to, to try and make something happen. For someone so young to do that is huge. Even in those tricky four games that they’ve come through, he was still performing at the top of his game.
“Adding the end product to his game now has made him a different player. Only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have more goals and assists in the Premier League. But there are other players in the team who are playing a big role.
“You can’t overlook Martin Ødegaard, who, from the back end of the World Cup, was playing about as good as any midfielder in the Premier League. The defence has been solid too. But if you’re Leicester and looking at who you need to stop, it’s got to be Saka.”
All times GMT.