Arsenal’s Draws: Echoes of the Past

omidbasir- On 23 February 2008, Arsenal faced Birmingham City in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw, a result that has drawn unsettling comparisons to the current season.

Arsenal supporters might find it prudent to look away as we delve into the statistics, which reveal a striking resemblance to the 2007-08 season. That year, Arsenal led the league by five points after 26 matches but ultimately finished in third place.

In the 2008 season, Arsène Wenger’s squad, with 63 points, was comfortably ahead of Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, who trailed in second. In a situation reminiscent of this season’s 27th match, Arsenal traveled to the West Midlands to confront a relegation-threatened Birmingham City, managed by Alex McLeish.

The match experienced a turning point when Arsenal striker Eduardo suffered a severe injury. Despite this setback, Arsenal surged ahead with an 18-year-old Theo Walcott scoring his first Premier League goals, putting the leaders up 2-1 as they entered injury time. However, a foul by Gael Clichy led to a penalty, allowing James McFadden to equalize in the dying moments.

Fast forward to the present day, and Arsenal’s recent 2-2 draw against Wolves mirrors this historical narrative. Once again, they were in a leading position at 2-1 as the match approached its final minutes. Although this time it wasn’t a penalty that cost them, a deflected goal by Riccardo Calafiori turned a hopeful victory into a frustrating draw.

The echoes of the past remain palpable, as Arsenal now faces mounting pressure. The 2008 draw trimmed their lead at the top to just three points, with Manchester United seizing the opportunity to close in. Currently, Manchester City is poised to narrow the gap to two points if they win their game in hand following the latest results.

Arsenal’s players are keen to break the pattern of history; in 2008, they won only one out of their next seven Premier League matches, ultimately finishing in third, trailing behind Manchester United and Chelsea.

The current squad has a timely opportunity to alter their trajectory with an upcoming north London derby and a home match against Chelsea. Additionally, a pivotal clash against Manchester City on 18 April could be crucial in their title aspirations.

With just two victories in their last seven games and the ghost of the Birmingham draw looming large, Arsenal carries the weight of expectation. However, the season remains unwritten, and this team still has the chance to dispel the shadows of 2008 by clinching the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.