LONDON — Arsenal has a week to prove they aren’t April fools. For the second year in succession, the Gunners entered this month targeting glory at home and abroad. However, Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa leaves Mikel Arteta’s side facing a week to save their season, and the Spaniard knows it. With trips to Bayern Munich and Wolverhampton Wanderers to come in the next six days, an apocalyptic scenario could see Arsenal’s season suddenly fizzle out.
“If one result is going to do that, then we are not strong enough,” said Arteta. “That’s very simple. We don’t have any other solution. If you want to win championships, if you want to be there in the Champions League, when you have these moments, you have to stand up. If not, that means you don’t have a quality that is very necessary. Now it’s a big test for us.”
The symmetry with last season is of significant concern. It is precisely a year ago since Arsenal were embarking on a run of three wins from their final nine league games, which handed the title to Manchester City. Once again, Pep Guardiola’s charges are in pole position at the end of a weekend when both their main rivals lost at home.
Redemption in the Champions League?
Arsenal’s failure to go top of the Premier League table hands the advantage to Manchester City, but all is not lost for Mikel Arteta and his Gunners. The Champions League offers redemption, and the upcoming fixtures will test their mettle. Can they rise to the occasion and salvage their season? Only time will tell.
