Arsenal’s 2024 hasn’t started off very well. They are in the running for the title and are committed to staying there after winning the Premier League for the sixth time in a row with 25 goals scored and only three goals allowed.
Naturally, the Gunners were in a similar situation the previous year before their quest was abandoned, but they are displaying a desire and tenacity that suggests they are desperate not to make the same mistakes twice.
Arsenal’s captain, Martin Odegaard, told TNT Sports, “We are living the dream,” as his team moved into third place, two points behind champions Liverpool. All of us have wished to be in this place. You see how competitive it is every week, and that’s where we want to be.
However, they responded magnificently, defeating Newcastle 4-1 on Saturday thanks to four goals.
“They appear to be a team that is quite disappointed with their midweek showing. They were immediately on the front foot and had excellent press and intensity, according to former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
“It would be simple to ensure that they do not allow fear to take hold. Yet, there are currently no indications of that.
“At this point, they are a really effective team and unit.”
“The year before, we missed the Champions League and bounced back,” Odegaard continued. We were so delighted every time we played that we should have won a title last season. Now is the opportunity to prove we have learned our lesson.”
Arsenal has achieved a record-breaking 2024 by winning their first six Premier League matches of a calendar year, becoming the sixth team to do so. Their tally of 25 goals from six games is the most any team has scored from the start of a calendar year in the Premier League. For the first time in their history, Arsenal have begun a calendar year with six successive league wins. Bukayo Saka has scored in five consecutive league appearances for the first time in his career, making him the first English player to score in five consecutive Premier League games for Arsenal since Ian Wright (7 between September and November 1994).
Arsenal’s 27 set-piece goals this season (including 8 penalties) is their most on record in a single league campaign since Opta began recording such data in 2004-05. Key to Arsenal’s impressive displays and results in 2024 has been the form of England forward Bukayo Saka. Saka scored the Gunners’ third goal, taking his tally for the season to 16 in all competitions. He has also hit two doubles during that run, in the 6-0 win at West Ham and 5-0 victory at Burnley.
The victory for Arsenal moved them to one point behind defending champions Manchester City and two points behind leaders Liverpool. With 12 games remaining, it is shaping up to be a fascinating and tense title race. Former Scotland international Ally McCoist, former Gunner Ian Wright, and former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believe that Arsenal will push Liverpool and Manchester City to win the title.
However, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta remains determined to stay grounded, stating that there are still things that can be done better and that they are bringing big players back from injury.
(BBC)
