Arsenal are now out of the Champions League, and this is obviously a huge disappointment. But a kind draw in the FA Cup sees Arsenal face Championship opposition in the semi-final for the second time in two years, and the Gunners’ recent league form has seen them climb to 3rd place, only one point behind defending champions Manchester City. So things aren’t looking too bad for Arsenal.
They are looking as nailed-on for a Champions League spot as they have been in years – though that isn’t saying much – and now people are even starting to believe that Arsenal can mount a serious title challenge.
Chelsea look to be some distance over the horizon for both Arsenal and City, The West London club are 7 points clear of Arsenal with a game in hand, and with no Champions League or FA Cup distractions, they look to be unstoppable.
But losing to PSG might have saved Chelsea a fixture pile-up over the next few months, but the hangover from losing that game has seen them looking a little wobbly. Going out in the manner that they did, coupled with the flat performance at the weekend at home to Southampton shows that Chelsea aren’t invincible.
Mourinho seems to have settled on a starting eleven, and likes to play them as often as possible. But a full season without a rest is tough for most players, and Mourinho’s insistence on a high work rate and pressing from his front men might make them tireder in the long run. But maybe without that fixture congestion they should still see it through.
It’s in our nature, as fans, to continue to hold out hope of a title race. We don’t like to concede that it’s over this early, and we’ve seen so many comebacks in the past to suggest that it’s not over yet. Manchester City have been Chelsea’s rivals all season long, and they themselves have a taste for the thrilling comeback.
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We’ve been saying since the start of the season that it’s a two horse race between those two. They were neck and neck on New Year’s Day – level on points with identical goal difference and goals scored stats, but Chelsea are now 6 points clear with a game in hand.
But if it’s still a race between the top two, Arsenal are now only a point behind it. Surely if City are in a race, Arsenal are too.
They themselves no longer have the Champions League to worry about, but they do still have the FA Cup to juggle with the league games.
They’ll have to play more games than City and Chelsea over the course of the title run-in, but this might actually be a good thing. Although Arsenal will have at least one more game to play, getting to a Wembley final would give them belief and momentum, as will the opportunity to retain their FA Cup crown.
It’s been so long since Arsenal were champions of anything that maybe that taste of glory will galvanise the Gunners for an assault on the league title this time too, as they remember the taste of victory from last season’s triumph. Maybe a trip to Wembley will reignite those memories and give them a boost to catch the two ahead of them.
All of this after their heroic defeat to Monaco would be welcome. Defeat was disappointing, of course, but perhaps it may be morale-boosting all the same – after all, they did come mightily close to qualification, and they did create the chances to win by the required 3 goals.
So if there is still a race to the title, it must certainly include Arsenal given their recent league form and momentum. But that’s only if you believe there’s still a race to be had! If Arsenal are included, what about Manchester United and Liverpool, who are still only a few points further back?
The two-horse race we’ve had all season could turn into one of the most thrilling title races in living memory. Or it might not even be a race at all any more. Either way, you feel that to lose it now Chelsea would have to ‘mare to rival Devon Loch!
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