SportsArsenal: Digging Themselves Out Of Relegation Muck

Arsenal: Digging Themselves Out Of Relegation Muck

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BEVERLY HILLS, December 30, (THEWILL) – Previously, it was unlikely to use the word “relegation” together with the North London club Arsenal without being sarcastic or downright trolling. What it used to be ridiculed for before was complacency with being perpetually fourth to the point of owning that slot behind a changing slew of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City, year after year.

It was therefore a slap in the face for everyone associated with the club that it became a trending issue to query the possibility that this might be the season relegation came for the men from the Emirates as one ugly loss followed another and the Gunners’ strikers drew blanks game after game. After a strong showing against United, Arsenal seemed to have lost their desire to win and went from the side with the strongest defense to the side anyone could beat.

Although there are no English clubs currently in existence that have never been relegated from the country’s top division, Arsenal remains the team with the longest run in the English top League since they were last relegated from Division One in the 1912/1913 season. Yet, with each passing game, that appeared to be in danger of being overturned.

Glo

It is obvious to the ardent fan of the English Premier League that the London side have had quite the ride in the past 12 months. It was the same story in the previous season, but the team recovered to achieve a demonstrably respectable eighth-placed finish while crucially winning the FA Cup to qualify for a place in the group stages of the UEFA Europa League.

However, the 2020-21 campaign has been even more tortuous for manager Mikel Arteta. Other clubs have fired their managers for less of the results the Spaniard has endured with the team. Yet, something about his style, vision and managerial chops allowed the club keep faith with him. And now, his forced confidence in the youthful inclusions in the squad is reaping fruits.

After an unexpected but career-saving triumph over Chelsea in the previous match that saw them run away 3-1 winners in an impressive and convincing display that included a saved penalty, they carried that winning mentality into their most recent tie against Brighton to clock their first league win against the Seagulls since 1981. The victory was significant in the Gunners’ unexpected battle to steer clear of the relegation places as it takes the team up to 13th, nine points clear of danger.

Though the red side of London are not yet out of the woods, as difficulties remain in the final third with goals hard to come by for their pointman and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a general lack of clinical precision in front of goal, they have earned some breathing space for themselves and will expect to build on that going into the new year.

The return of young Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli from injury coincided with the return of a lively and entertaining style of play to the Gunners game. He takes the ball at pace to the opponent and takes risks that are not evident in the style of play of the mostly older, senior players in the squad. His creativeness is not in question and has added colour and forward sharpness to the side.

The pair of Academy graduates, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, included into the senior team because of the maturity they bring to their performances at their age has been incisive in the resurgence of the Gunners’ form. Saka has been exceptionally creative in the two matches, against Chelsea and Brighton, that have largely turned around the fortunes of the club for the season. Smith Rowe’s contributions in the centre of the park have also been crucial.

If they are to remain in the top flight, they will have to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and fight the dogged battles that lie ahead. It will be only convincing if they can beat teams in the top half of the table better than they do against sides like Brighton, themselves mired in relegation battles of their own.

About the Author

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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

Jude Obafemi, THEWILLhttps://thewillnews.com
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

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