Mikel Arteta given three reasons to believe Bournemouth will hand Arsenal Premier League title

Arsenal are one step away from winning the Premier League title after win over Burnley as Gunners given three reasons to believe in Bournemouth

Arsenal simply refuse to do anything the easy way, and if Mikel Arteta is concerned about losing his perfect head of hair, then there should be no greater sign that the nerves do indeed exist within the core of the club’s chase for glory. They’re one goal away now from ending their 22-year wait for the crown, be that a Bournemouth goal or one of their own at Selhurst Park.

If there is one side in the league who are specialist in winning by a single goal, it is this Arsenal side. This was their eighth 1-0 win of the Premier League season, but their thirteenth that has been won by a one-goal margin.

Some might say this is a sign that things simply cannot be expected to continue as they are, but the reality is that right now, that is exactly what they are doing. Arteta perhaps said it best after the game as he provided his analysis of the affair.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

“I knew it was going to be tough,” Arteta said. “I think in the first half we played some of the best football we have played this season.

“We were very unfortunate not to score two or three goals, and then that was the story of the season. If we cannot do that, make sure that we are extremely efficient in defending certain moments. Not giving anything away to the opponent and winning the three points.”

He is right, the story of the season has been that the vast majority of the games where the Gunners have managed to grab at least a goal, they’ve won. Arsenal have dropped points 12 times this season; in only two of them have they scored more than a single goal.

Defensively, the side has been exceptional, and if they are to win the league, this will be the big reason why they’ve managed to do so. And it is somewhat poetic that this is the case because the praise falls squarely at the feet of Mikel Arteta.

When he arrived at Arsenal in 2019, the team had goalscorers and was scoring goals. But equally, it could not stop conceding on a damagingly regular basis, and that is the biggest success Arteta has had in North London.

Changing initially to a back three, or five depending on who you ask, before gradually adding key players like Gabriel, David Raya and Declan Rice, the three Arsenal candidates for PFA Player of the Season. These players have formed the bedrock of evolution for the club, as have set pieces this season.

It’s odd because Arsenal have barely scored directly from corners recently, and they started the game taking some short routines, as they did so successfully against Fulham. But the first time they swung the ball into the box, Kai Havertz popped up to score.

Many will say he should have been sent off, and they’re right, he should have. However, Bukayo Saka should also have had a penalty after being brought down in the box, so let’s call it even.

All eyes now turn to the south coast. The facts bode well for Arsenal.

A Bournemouth side who are 16 games unbeaten, their last defeat coming against Arsenal back at the start of the year, in one of the few games in which the Gunners have conceded more than a single goal.

They’ve then gone on to produce some fantastic performances, including beating The Gunners at the Emirates, which leaves them just one point away from guaranteeing qualification into Europe, and perhaps something even better awaits if other results go their way.

They’ve had more than a week to prepare and rest, while Manchester City, who are now set to lose their head coach, Pep Guardiola, in the summer, have played twice.

There is plenty riding on the game for all involved, and Arteta said he will be the “biggest” Cherries fan tomorrow, praying for a result to fall their way.

“I don’t think it’s needed,” he said when asked if he would text his friend and Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola. “What he’s done in that football club, the transformation, what they are playing for, I don’t think they need anything else. When you look at how Burnley played today, the spirit that they show, how difficult they made it, imagine tomorrow.”

Imagine, indeed. Because history is just around the corner.

Click here to read article