Premier League competitors intend to use every opportunity to dazzle or go deep against rivals, discarding their soft touch status.
Rob Edwards, who was asked to talk about the opponents who had easily defeated his Luton team on Wednesday night, distinguished them from the other contenders for the crown. It was almost too good to believe. He remarked, “Maybe they’re the one team out of the three that are currently fighting that can play any game.” “They have the solution for any type of game, whether it be sprinting, footballing, or physical. They possess the characteristics to participate in any situation.
Edwards was genuinely discussing Arsenal, and it is difficult to come up with a compliment that could be more complimentary of their development. They had been considered a possible soft touch by opponents for years, albeit the opinion wasn’t always vocalised. The belief that there was a “Arsenal” method to win games and trophies seemed to be holding back their unbelievably beautiful play in the last 10 years of Arsène Wenger’s leadership. Although they were generally entertaining to watch, Mikel Arteta has changed what that complement should mean after four and a quarter years on the job. The fact that this season’s offensive and defensive records surpass all others says volumes about it.
On Friday, Arteta remarked, “I don’t know what that means to play nice.” “Nice is always having the ball in play, nice is also having the ball out of play, and nice is having to play in specific locations and spaces on the pitch. How densely do you have to play lovely? It all comes down to how you compete and how hard you work to defeat your opponent.
Earlier in the week, Arteta had talked about putting aside “ideology” for the tiresome but incredibly beneficial draw against Manchester City. He expanded on the idea now, before to a journey to Brighton that presents its own set of difficulties. Essentially, Arsenal’s best play going forward will be the kind that secures their first Premier League title in 20 years. When they are at their most persuasive, it will entail slicing through their opponents, but when necessary, it will also mean getting your hands dirty, pitching in, and displaying a more practical edge.
According to Arteta, “each game demands different things.” Some teams will attempt to force you to play a particular game, and when they do, you have to give it your all. You have a significant edge when you can adjust to accomplish that and still outperform your opponent in that particular game. We are required to play a variety of games.
Win the mudfight and you might just be able to escape being dragged into the mire. Arsenal can now accomplish that; Declan Rice’s presence in front of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba completes an intimidating spine. Despite this, Arsenal has a track record of winning: they have the fewest bookings among elite teams—44.
Speaking half-jokingly about their record of discipline, Arteta remarked, “Probably we haven’t been talking about it that much and maybe that was a factor,” implying that in the past, telling his players they could receive a yellow or red card had become self-fulfilling.
If Arsenal wants to return from the south coast with their current levels of pleasure intact, they might need to incorporate every trait Edwards mentioned. While Brighton might not have the same intensity that led to sixth place in the previous year, nobody in Arteta’s inner circle needs to be reminded of the 3-0 loss at the Emirates in May of last year, which all but guaranteed Manchester City the 2022–23 championship. “I would say it was a good learning day,” Arteta stated, heavily relying on hindsight.
Brighton’s football can inflict damage on Arsenal once more, and this seems to be the kind of match where the visitors’ physical attributes—which were considerably less noticeable a year ago—may provide a stage on which Martin Ødegaard and co. can show off their offensive ferocity.
When asked if Arsenal was regaining the same aura as when opponents lined up in Highbury’s chilly, cramped hallways were fatally injured prior to taking the pitch, Arteta gave a pointed question. “I had the feeling that tonight was going to be really tough while I was playing in the tunnel with a different shirt,” he remarked. “Hopefully, we can make it happen. That, in my opinion, would be highly advantageous for the squad.
At the former home of Arsenal, Everton fell 7-0 while Arteta was a member of the team. Maybe his current team’s sense of inevitable fate resonated with some of those lining up opposite when they were on an incredible goal-scoring run in late January and early March of this year. Although they are still human, as shown by the fact that Bukayo Saka’s absence would be disastrous if he isn’t declared fit to play at the Amex Stadium, their boss believes they are capable of handling whatever challenges they face in the upcoming six weeks. “The group has grown,” Arteta declared. “They have developed their own rhythms, styles of leadership, and methods for handling particular situations.”
Arsenal’s all-around lineup feels ready to cap off their most impressive 20-year run.