"The long wait intensifies desire. Even at this stage of the season, there is an acute consciousness of where the finish line is: games are not just games, they are steps towards that final goal and that, inevitably, leads to a heightened emotional state. A draw at Sunderland is not a bad result. Nobody has beaten them at home so far this season. There is no reason for Arsenal to panic. And nobody is panicking."
"On the one hand, that is positive: Arteta should be frustrated at his side twice conceding by being beaten to the second ball in the box and should be determined to maintain the standards that had been set previously. But on the other, it's impossible to win the title if the base level of nervous energy is too high. And Manchester City are looming."
Tottenham defeated Arsenal in the 2021-22 north London derby with goals from Harry Kane and Son Heung-min and Rob Holding sent off, securing fourth place and Champions League qualification. That result completed a sixth consecutive season with Tottenham above Arsenal and hinted at a shift in local dominance. Mikel Arteta has rebuilt Arsenal into a consistent challenger with three straight second-place finishes, but a long title drought since 2004 increases pressure. Recent results like a draw at Sunderland expose lingering vulnerability and nervousness, while Manchester City and Erling Haaland represent a significant looming threat.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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