Issue: Arsenal should not be overly pessimistic!

The defeat against Man City last weekend has placed Arsenal in danger of temporarily surrendering the lead. Yet, there is no need for Arteta's squad to be overly concerned, as the championship battle in the Premier League is still very much accessible to them.

Many experts still believe this season could be the perfect moment for Arsenal to end their 22-year drought for the Premier League title. Opta's supercomputer still estimates Arsenal's chances of winning the league at the end of the season to be as high as 73%. Several former players, including Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, and Chris Sutton, have recently expressed their confidence in Arteta's team.

A favorable schedule and key players returning

What factors support Arsenal in the remaining five matches? The fixture list is an advantage. Arteta's remaining opponents—Newcastle, Fulham, West Ham, Burnley, and Crystal Palace—all sit in the bottom half of the table. This contrasts sharply with Man City, who face four of their last six opponents—Everton, Brentford, Bournemouth, and Aston Villa—who are competing for European qualification spots. For Arsenal, aside from West Ham, who are fighting to stay in the league, the other four teams have no chance of participating in any significant race.

Positive updates regarding personnel are something Arsenal can rely on during the final stretch of the season. Arteta's squad traveled to Etihad last weekend without their best full-back duo Timber-Calafiori and their top attacking star Bukayo Saka. All three were unavailable for the recent crucial match, but their imminent return promises to revive creativity with the ball, an element Arsenal currently lacks. Particularly, Saka's impending comeback is expected to bring differences in leadership qualities and technical expertise. Noni Madueke was hoped to replace Saka, but the former Chelsea player has performed underwhelmingly in his last four starts for Arsenal.

It would be a oversight to ignore Kai Havertz's timely return. Havertz is not a traditional goal-scoring number nine, but the German forward's presence helps Arsenal's attacking mechanism operate smoothly due to his ability to act as a wall and execute purposeful pressing. This contrasts with the new signing Viktor Gyokeres. Gyokeres is Arsenal's leading scorer in the Premier League this season with 12 goals. The issue with the Swedish striker lies in his tactical thinking and technical foundation, which still have limitations. Arteta should consider using the Swedish forward as a substitute option if Havertz remains energetic throughout the remainder of the season.

In the midfield, the fact that Odegaard and Eze are starting together is a positive sign. The match against Man City was only the fourth time they have partnered to enhance creativity for Arteta's team. Both possess the ability to unlock opposing defenses and advance the ball forward.

Problems for Man City

Besides the impact of a challenging schedule in their remaining six matches, Man City suffered a setback when midfielder Rodri had to leave the field due to injury in the final minutes against Arsenal. Pep Guardiola confirmed he sustained a groin injury and requires further tests to determine the exact duration of his absence. If Rodri is sidelined long-term, it would be a significant loss for Manchester City's title pursuit. Nico Gonzalez is Guardiola's backup option, but the 24-year-old midfielder's capabilities are far from matching Rodri's. Compared to previous seasons, Guardiola's team this year has reduced its dependence on Rodri. This statement holds true, as Man City performed well early in the season even when the 29-year-old midfielder was playing below his usual form and frequently injured. However, as the season progressed, his influence on City's midfield became increasingly evident. It is no coincidence that Rodri has started 10 of the last 11 matches across all competitions.

If Man City defeats Burnley in tonight's early Round 34 match, they will seize the top spot from Arsenal. Being at the summit at this moment brings pressure for Guardiola's team. Conversely, Arsenal, on the opposite end, feel relieved after shedding the pressure of holding the lead for many rounds. This psychological advantage should not be underestimated.