Bruised Arsenal seek healing win to reignite their title charge
A BRUISING few days has provided a stark reality check to the growing euphoria at Arsenal, but all is not lost for the Gunners who will now focus solely on trying to win their first Premier League title for 20 years.
Arsenal were handed an open goal when Liverpool lost to Crystal Palace last weekend, but a few hours later, they were left stunned by a 2-0 home defeat against Aston Villa, their first Premier League loss of 2024.
Those results handed Manchester City control of a three-way Premier League title race with six games remaining, with Pep Guardiola’s side leading Arsenal and Liverpool by two points.
Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final exit at Bayern Munich on Wednesday night was another body blow for Mikel Arteta’s side, who have suddenly lost their sparkle.
There is nothing like another game to refocus minds, however, and Arsenal’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow offers the perfect opportunity to get back on track and heap some pressure on Manchester City by moving back to the top of the standings.
“On Saturday, we have a big, big, big game,” Arteta, seeking to draw a line under three successive games without a win, said. “We’re still playing for a Premier League, and I really want it.
“We have to show now that we are capable of turning this around.”
Encouragingly for Arsenal, they have won their last five league games against Wolves, who are on a fivematch winless run in all competitions as they sit bang in the middle of the table.
“We’ve got Wolves away, and that’s where our big reaction is going to happen,” Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said after the 1-0 defeat at Bayern Munich.
Arsenal were not alone in suffering Champions League heartbreak with Manchester City’s hopes of a second successive treble wrecked as they lost to Real Madrid on penalties after their quarter-final ended 4-4 on aggregate.
City are in FA Cup semi-final action against Chelsea tomorrow, meaning Liverpool also have the chance to climb above Pep Guardiola’s side when they travel to Fulham on Sunday.
A huge weekend is in store in the Premier League relegation battle, with three games involving the six teams scrapping to avoid the drop, and Everton’s home game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday looking like the proverbial six-pointer.
Everton, in 16th place, are one point above Forest as the clubs who have had points docked for financial breaches prepare to do battle at Goodison Park.
A 6-0 thrashing at Chelsea on Monday left Everton stuck in the mire and defeat at home by Forest could see them slip into the relegation zone. | Reuters
WEEKEND PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES (SA Times)
Tomorrow – 4pm: Sheffield United v Burnley, Luton Town v Brentford. 8.30pm: Wolves v Arsenal
Sunday – 2.30pm: Everton v Nottingham Forest. 4pm: Crystal Palace v West Ham, Aston Villa v Bournemouth. 5.30pm: Fulham v Liverpool
FA Cup Semi-Final Fixtures (SA Times) Tomorrow – 6.15pm: Manchester City v Chelsea
Sunday – 4.30pm: Coventry City v Manchester United