Pressure Mounts on Arsenal as Title Race Intensifies

omidbasir- Pep Guardiola’s formidable squad has a chance to narrow the gap to Arsenal this Saturday when they host Newcastle, while the Gunners face their arch-rivals Tottenham in a crucial derby on Sunday.

Tensions are high in North London following Mikel Arteta’s team’s dramatic loss of two points against Wolverhampton. Arsenal initially led 2-0 at Molineux against the struggling side but conceded an equalizer in the 94th minute, leaving supporters frustrated.

In their last seven Premier League matches, Arsenal has only secured two victories, allowing competitors to close in behind them. With the Gunners finishing as runners-up in each of the previous three seasons, former England striker and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has called for a display of resilience at the Emirates Stadium.

Lineker expressed on The Rest Is Football podcast: “Does Arsenal need to show more toughness? While it’s easy to say, they must find a way to be more assertive, especially after taking the lead. Is this a mindset issue for Arsenal, or just a temporary stumble that every team faces at some point? I believe they can still clinch the title, but they may need a wake-up call. With Manchester City now just five points behind and holding a game in hand, the pressure is mounting.”

Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer, chimed in, suggesting that a fixture against local rivals could be the perfect opportunity for Arsenal to respond positively: “I always anticipated that Arsenal’s journey wouldn’t be straightforward. Challenges and nervous moments are part of the process, and they must rise to the occasion.”

Shearer also emphasized the pressure on Arteta, stating: “If he fails to win the league, his position at Arsenal could be in jeopardy. Considering the opportunities they’ve had and the investments made in players, they genuinely need to secure the title. Winning the Champions League might present a more achievable challenge for them, given their Premier League history.”

Passionate Arsenal supporter Piers Morgan has voiced his concerns, fearing another collapse at the Emirates. In a series of social media posts following the draw against Wolves, he lamented: “What are you doing, Arsenal? We’re choking. Again. If you aspire to be champions, wake up before it’s too late. Last night’s second-half performance was the worst I’ve seen in years, with only Declan Rice meeting the required standard of drive and intensity.”

The legendary ‘Invincibles’ of 2003-04 remain the last Arsenal side to secure Premier League glory. The current team is in pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple, competing in the Champions League, Carabao Cup, and FA Cup. However, a demanding schedule and rising expectations may be beginning to take their toll.