"Perhaps Manchester City and Liverpool cruising to recent title wins made us forget that, deep-set in the making of champions, there will be wobbles, difficulties, forks in the road. As Pep Guardiola would happily tell you now, it's not supposed to be easy. Just look at Liverpool's attempts to follow up last season's serene gambol to the title. The message to Arsenal, to quote the late, great Douglas Adams, is: don't panic."
"Though it probably feels imminent, Manchester United's 3-2 win at the Emirates crystallised the doubts in Mikel Arteta's team. This is Arsenal's fourth season in contention and a familiar pattern is forming. In season 2021-22, Arsenal went five games without a win in January. In season 2022-23, Arsenal went four games without a win over January and February. In season 2023-24 Arsenal won once over seven games in December and January."
Manchester City's and Liverpool's recent title wins obscured the inevitability of setbacks during a championship campaign. Arsenal face recurring mid-season drops in form, with a pattern of poor January results across multiple seasons: five winless games in 2021–22, four in 2022–23, one win across seven games in 2023–24, one win in five in 2024–25, and only one win in four so far in January 2025–26. Manchester United's 3-2 win at the Emirates intensified doubts. Goal production is low—Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres lead with five each—while scruffy finishes and rare spectacular chances underline the need to take risks and seize moments.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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