After the drama of the English Premier League title race going down to the final day of last season, this year’s competition could follow a similar storyline as Arsenal and Manchester City battle it out for the trophy. Man City pipped Liverpool to the title on the final day last term but this time it’s north London outfit Arsenal who is trying to bring the Premier League trophy back to England’s capital.
Arsenal Emerge As Serious Force
After missing out on the Champions League places last season, Arsenal has come on leaps and bounds under manager Mikel Arteta this term. There were questions at the end of last season regarding Arteta’s future at the Emirates Stadium but the club’s hierarchy has been justified in keeping the Spanish tactician and the Gunners are now serious title contenders. As of 20th April Arsenal is +175, in the outright betting markets courtesy of Betway, to end a wait of almost two decades to be crowned champions of England. Arteta certainly has to take plenty of plaudits for how he has transferred the squad, even if they fall short of the title and have to settle for second.
A runners-up spot for many outsiders would be seen as a strong season for Arsenal but inside the Gunners’ camp nothing less than a Premier League title will be on their minds. The club has been the frontrunner throughout the season leading into the English springtime but they have not been able to pull away from reigning champions City, due to results like their 2-2 draw with West Ham covered by ESPN. Arsenal fell away towards the end of last season when they might have thought they had a place in the top four, and a return to the Champions League, in their hands. Arteta will be hoping his side has learned from the heartbreak of finishing in fifth last season, with their arch-rivals Tottenham beating them to the last Champions League place.
City Experience Can Play A Role
Having endured the rigors of the nail-biting end to last season and coming through it with the trophy, City can use that positive experience to their advantage for the remaining figures covered by GH Gossip. Manager Pep Guardiola might have thought the title was slipping through their fingers when his side was two goals down against Aston Villa on the final day. However, the Citizens found a way and a brace from İlkay Gündoğan and a goal from Rodri helped City claim a memorable 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium, as reported by the BBC. Liverpool also won on the final day against the Wolves. Still, in the end, it was not enough for the Merseyside outfit to secure what would have been a second Premier League title in their illustrious history. https://www.youtube.com/embed/u_iXYWx6NHU
City handled the pressure of being the frontrunners last season and perhaps this year they have been in the more favorable position of being the chasers. Many will suggest more pressure is on those leading from the front, even if they do have an advantage of superior points or goal difference. Either way, with the title race looking set to be another tight one, the majority of the City squad and Guardiola, as reported by GH Gossip, know what it takes to get over the line first and that’s something Arsenal doesn’t have.
The Master Against The Apprentice
The fact City boss Guardiola and Arsenal manager Arteta worked together previously at the Etihad Stadium adds another element of intrigue in this year’s title race. Arteta worked as Guardiola’s assistant before going it alone and taking on the job at the Emirates. The pair have great admiration for each other and Arteta will have learned plenty from working under the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss.
Guardiola has often described Arteta as a competitor and will know his former “apprentice” will do all he can to end Arsenal’s wait for the Premier League trophy in the last few games shown here on GH Gossip. It was the 2003/04 season the last time the Gunners were crowned champions of England and this year marks their best opportunity to get their hands back on that prestigious piece of silverware.
The history of the Premier League has been blessed with some special title races, which have helped make it the competition that is watched across the globe. This season looks set to provide more drama as Arsenal and City go toe-to-toe in a thrilling climax to the campaign.
Categories: News
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
