After the early match of round 31 with Wolves, accompanied by an extremely disappointing 2-2 draw, Arsenal is currently only 5 points ahead of Man City but has played 1 more match. This means that if The Citizens win all remaining matches from now until the end of the season, they will be crowned champions because there is still one direct confrontation with The Gunners.
If that happens, it will be a real disaster for Mikel Arteta's team after 3 consecutive runner-up seasons. After the final whistle at Molineux Stadium sounded, Wolves fans sang mocking lines that sounded very bitter: "Second place, second place again..." to target the Arsenal players leaving the field. No longer an unimaginable prospect, this nightmare is really coming to the London team.
In the 2022-2023 season, there was a time when Arsenal led Man City by 8 points after round 29. After that, they suffered defeats and in 3 seasons since then, they have lost to The Citizens 2 times. When Man City declined, Arsenal lost to Liverpool again and this time, the old opponent has returned.
In the post-match press conference, Mikel Arteta was very limited in talking about things that remind people of disasters. The Spanish coach understood that at this time, just one action showing resignation, everything would collapse immediately.
In times like this, we can easily say things that harm the team. Of course I am extremely disappointed but Arsenal must blame themselves. In the second half, we did not show the performance of a team wanting to win.
Right now, what needs to be done is swallow the defeat. When reaching this level, what sometimes needs to be done is to know how to accept defeat because we deserve it today. However, the whole team needs to quickly overcome it because this Sunday there is still a big match ahead.
The mocking song: "Second place, second place again..." is not the first time being heard in the stands to be directed towards Arsenal. It has appeared in the Gunners' showdown against Brentford, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, even Wigan in the 4th round of the FA Cup. Last season, it was initiated by West Ham fans, then Leicester City, Crystal Palace and Southampton. There are many teams showing rejoicing at Arsenal's terrible prospect.
From nothing to having is extremely difficult, typically as Arsenal is looking for the first major title under Mikel Arteta. What they lack is experience in the championship race and how to cope with pressure. Two consecutive draws against Brentford and Wolves when playing away show that this team is not brave enough to cut off the opponent. Conversely, they are under heavy pressure and draw in a very reprehensible way.
In some moments of the second half, Arteta urged his players to control the ball better, but in return, they conceded 2 goals. Arteta also admitted that when he scored the 2nd goal, Arsenal was not capable of controlling the match until the end of the match.
Wolves only have 10 points after 27 matches, they are considered to have grasped the relegation ticket but still did something against Arsenal. In the Premier League era, the relegation team considered the worst was Derby County in the 2007-2008 season when they only had 11 points. There was a time when Wolves' goal was only to overcome the 11 points to avoid being called the worst team. Now, after the courageous draw against Arsenal, they are confident enough to do that. In contrast to the "Gunners", they have just been held to a draw by a team still capable of becoming the worst team in Premier League history.
The most reprehensible thing about Arsenal is their somewhat subjective attitude after leading 2-0. They seemed unwilling and when they felt dangerous, the away team could not score any more goals. If they finished second this time again, Arsenal would set many sad records, including a 4-time consecutive runner-up streak and the 10th runner-up.
When the final whistle sounded, Arsenal players had a scuffle with the opponent. Gabriel Jesus's gestures were just proof that this was a match Arsenal played with an unconscious head. Gabriel Magalhaes even argued with David Raya after Arsenal conceded the 2nd goal in the last minute. All those images are not worthy of a team that is aiming for the championship.
With only 2 wins in the last 7 Premier League matches and amidst this crisis of the "Gunners", fans remember Rodri's saying when Man City won the championship in 2024.
About them finishing second again? I think Arsenal had a great season but the difference is here" - Rodri pointed his hand to his head, the other hand is holding the Premier League title.
