After FIFA Days in November, Arsenal seemed to have found their attacking form again, giving fans impressive and effective performances. Big wins against Nottingham Forest, Sporting Lisbon and West Ham confirmed that the Gunners were back in the race at their best.
The biggest highlight of Arsenal’s revival has been the timely return of captain Martin Odegaard. With his ability to dictate play and coordinate well with Bukayo Saka, the Norwegian midfielder has brought creativity and sharpness to The Gunners’ attack. The pair not only created beautiful plays but also constantly put pressure on the opposing defense.
The understanding between Odegaard and Saka was evident in the match against West Ham, when each of their wrong passes left the audience in awe. Arsenal's playmaker is not only a technical player but also an inspiration that helps the team maintain a flexible and effective attacking style.
Alongside Odegaard, Jorginho has also played a key role in Arsenal's stability. With his experience and ball control, the Italian star has been an excellent replacement for Thomas Partey, who was sidelined due to injury. Jorginho's intelligent ball control and accurate distribution have helped the Emirates team maintain control and dictate the game.
One of Arsenal's strengths that continues to shine is their ability to capitalise on set pieces. With impressive aerial ability, centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes has scored three Premier League goals this season, level with Martinelli. His goal from a corner kick against West Ham was the start of Arsenal's goal-scoring spree, bringing confidence and improvement in their playing style.
Despite their impressive performances, Arsenal still have room for improvement. The games against Sporting and West Ham showed that Mikel Arteta's side can still lose focus after taking the lead. Conceding two goals in quick succession was a warning that the Gunners could not ignore.
“Conceding one goal is not a problem but conceding a second goal straight away is something we really need to look at. When the opponent is under pressure, the players need to keep them there and not let them get back into the game. That is something the whole team needs to improve on,” said Mikel Arteta.
The win over West Ham keeps Arsenal in the race with Liverpool, although the gap is still 9 points. However, with their current form and image in recent seasons, the "Gunners" show that they have never given up hope. The match against Man United will be an opportunity for Arsenal to prove that they are ready for bigger challenges.
"Arsenal are in a great moment at the moment, but in football you have to be alert and prepare as best you can for the next game because it's very competitive. With the Premier League playing every three days, the only thing you can do is analyse what we did really well, what we need to improve on and always be ready for the next opponent," said the Gunners' captain.
