Are Arsenal letting the title slip away?

Arsenal dropped further points last weekend in their push for a first Premier League title since 2003/04.

The Gunners have been in winning positions early on in their last two league matches. But the North London side surrendered their leads on both occasions. As a result, Man City have caught up to Mikel Arteta’s side and sits just four points behind Arsenal with a game in hand.

As the previous clear favourites to lift the 2022/23 title among the best bookies UK, Arsenal’s chances of sealing the Premier League now look in danger. Can the Gunners hold on to their advantage or will City chase down their opponents?

Arsenal’s Dropped Points

During their last two Premier League matches, Arsenal has raced into 2-0 leads during the first half. However, the Gunners then let their advantage slip later in the match.

First, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus put Arsenal ahead at Liverpool two weeks ago. Arsenal allowed Liverpool to bounce back and the Reds could have scored more than twice in the closing stages, but Aaron Ramsdale’s heroics kept the Gunners in the game.

On Sunday, a similar match played out at West Ham. Jesus and Martin Odegaard put Arsenal 2-0 up after 10 minutes. But West Ham replied with goals either side of half time and Bukayo Saka missed a penalty as the Gunners had to settle for another point.

The manner of the back-to-back draws’ leads to question marks about whether nerves are getting the better of Arsenal, who have generally been ruthless this season.

Also, the dropped points leave Arsenal with a slender lead at the top of the Premier League table. Before the last two results, Arteta’s side had an eight-point lead over City and looked sure favourites to get over the line.

Manchester City Chasing

To add pressure to the situation, reigning champions Man City are picking up form at the right time. The Citizens have been relentless after losing 1-0 to Tottenham in mid-February. Since then, Pep Guardiola’s side has won eight of their last nine and dropped just two points.

City also has a game in hand over Arsenal and the two sides face off at the Etihad on Wednesday, April 26. These two matches could prove decisive and swing the title in Man City’s favour if they win both as the Citizens would overtake Arsenal and have a two-point lead.

In addition, the experience of Guardiola’s side, who have won four of the last five Premier League titles, could be decisive. City has been in the position as chasers and holders in recent seasons and this experience could work in their favour.

But for Arteta’s young Arsenal side, being at the top and holding a title lead is new territory. The team that was once fearless at the start of the season has shown recent signs of uncertainty.

While the Gunners are still in poll position, they need to rediscover some defensive solidity to complement their stellar attacking threat, which has produced 22 goals across the last seven matches. Any additional dropped points from now until the end of the campaign are likely to cost Arsenal the title.