As the final whistle blew at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening, Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea felt like a defeat for Arsenal too.
As amusing as it is to see Spurs fall into the same old pattern of optimism/struggle/implode, our title hopes feel contingent on them at least having something to play for when they host Manchester City in a week or so.
The way they are playing at the moment, it feels as if the towel has already been thrown in.
I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself of course – Arsenal still have matches of their own that need to be won – but we’re at the stage now where we need someone, anyone, to take something from Manchester City.
I had hoped that team would be Brighton but, with not much left to play for and a team stripped of so many stars over the last two seasons, they simply rolled over. Nottingham Forest looked a promising bet too, fighting as they are to beat the drop but the chances they spurned in front of goal revealed exactly why they are where they are.
That pretty much leaves Spurs as our only hope and, given the way they’re playing now, it all feels a bit inevitable. Competing with this Pep Guardiola-fuelled juggernaut is maddening.
Whatever we’re feeling as fans, however, Mikel Arteta and co must remain detached from it. They need to do everything they can to push City to the end and that means winning all their remaining games, starting with Bournemouth tomorrow.
On paper, and in light of the matches we’ve won recently, it feels like a task well within our capabilities but we know from last season that complacency is a killer. Stomping Spurs in their own back yard is one thing, keeping our level high enough to get past Bournemouth is another.
Mercifully, we are now through what was an horrendous run of fixtures and the squad has at least had the best part of a week to recover. Fatigue then, shouldn’t be too much of a factor but that doesn’t mean we can keep it in second gear.
Bournemouth have stabilised under Andoni Iraola and will be more composed, more compact and better prepared than when we travelled to the south coast last year. On that occasion, we put them to the sword but I can guarantee they will pose an entirely different challenge this time around.
That means full focus, full gas and a stadium full of voice.
With so much still at stake, I doubt Mikel will rotate his squad from the one that took to the field against Spurs but there is always the possibility of a surprise. With Manchester United around the corner, what chance some rest for Declan Rice or Bukayo Saka?
Perhaps not but the manager would certainly love the luxury of being able to withdraw those guys early, should the chance present itself.
Before he can consider that, though, his charges need to hold up their end of the bargain. In this early kick-off, we need early goals and lots of them. With the advantage of playing first, it would feel good to take this game by the scruff of the neck and send a message to City.
It may yet prove entirely fruitless but, while there’s still a chance, let’s hope they give it everything they’ve got.
Blog on You Gunners 