Arsenal.
A team supposedly in turmoil. Has there ever been a better opportunity to finish above them? We have blown many an opportunity to finish above them in recent years, most notably last season when we needed only a point against an already relegated team, and we know what happened there.
The next handful of games in the league are winnable, however going to teams such as Swansea and Palace where they are fighting means it won’t be a given. Arsenal have a few home games early April (against Man City & West Ham) which could very well define the season.
The main question is, what has Poch learnt from last season where everything seemed to have been going so well for us to fall away so terribly towards the end? For one, I believe the players are a lot stronger mentally, and that will help. The title is beyond us, but sitting second in the league with 11 games to go and 6 points ahead of Arsenal (albeit they’ve got a game in hand) means we’re in a great place.
However, it is important to err on the side of caution, as we know, it’s never over until it’s over and Arsenal will do everything they can to finish above us, especially if it’s Arsene Wenger’s last season in charge. Let’s not focus on ‘minding the gap’ and worrying what’s going on down Arsenal way, but let’s get behind the team and worry about ourselves.
History has a ridiculous way of repeating itself, and I for one am determined that this year we write our own.
COYS.