Thierry Henry was again on the Emirates on Friday night time. Again alongside Patrick Vieira. Again in north London to see if Mikel Arteta’s facet would heed his recommendation.
The Frenchman had warned earlier than the go to of Southampton that unchecked ardour may show Arsenal’s undoing on this title tussle with Manchester City.
‘They should keep calm… you may win a cup with feelings however not a 38-game season,’ Henry stated. ‘You possibly can’t be too emotional and we have seen just lately Arsenal have been too emotional.
‘There’s a distinction between ardour and emotion.’
How simply these strains change into blurred. There will be little question that the power and environment that Arteta has labored so exhausting to foster on the Emirates has been a driving power in his facet’s title cost.
Arsenal had been warned towards permitting an excessive amount of emotion to return into play of their pursuit of a primary league title since 2004
Supervisor Mikel Arteta watched on in horror as his facet twice went behind by two targets
The environment on the Emirates this season has been electrifying at occasions – although the video games have gotten more and more frenzied
It was no coincidence that, as they looked for a route again into this recreation, a number of Arsenal gamers tried to whip up the group.
Sadly, although, whereas these supporters endured one other rollercoaster 90 minutes, it was exhausting to not surprise if Henry was on to one thing.
‘Simply an opinion,’ was how Arteta responded to Henry’s remark earlier than this recreation. However historical past tells us that, as a rule, the most important trophies are gained by cool heads. And just lately, Arsenal minds seem scrambled.
Therefore the creeping tide of particular person errors. Therefore the yo-yo, frenzied atmospheres which have adopted the league leaders in latest weeks.
Therefore, maybe, why Arsenal had solely a single shot between the forty fifth and 77th minute on Friday night time. They’d misplaced among the management and composure that has fuelled this title cost.
It was again in January, following a house draw towards Newcastle, that Arteta was accused of permitting his personal manic touchline antics to contaminate his gamers’ minds.
Now he should discover a approach of cooling their heads. And quick.
Tips on how to clarify these two statistics? Solely two goalkeepers have stored extra clear sheets than Aaron Ramsdale (12) within the Premier League this season.
Solely two groups have conceded extra targets at residence this season than Arsenal (21). That’s Leeds and Southampton, by the best way. They’ve conceded 30 every, 11 of which have are available Leeds’ final two matches. Arsenal’s distinctive away type this season has been an important cause behind their title push. Their residence file makes for fairly studying, too: performed 16, gained 12, misplaced one.
Bettered solely by Manchester City. Bettered solely by one level, too. And but, comfy days on the Emirates haven’t come as simply as maybe they need to.
Arsenal conceded inside the first minute following a pricey Aaron Ramsdale mistake
Arteta’s facet have now dropped factors of their final three matches – with a visit to Man Metropolis subsequent
Arsenal have stored solely two clear sheets at residence since October. Their final 5 matches on the Emirates, in the meantime, have come towards relegation-threatened sides: Southampton, Crystal Palace, Everton, Leeds and Bournemouth. None has handed and not using a wobble or an uncomfortable spell. To be anticipated at this stage of the season, maybe. However towards each Bournemouth and Southampton, Arsenal have wanted last-minute heroics.
‘You can’t concede the targets the best way we did (and) win video games within the Premier League except we make a miracle,’ Arteta stated after this.
What do they are saying about enjoying with fireplace and the inevitable final result?
James Ward-Prowse is anticipated to depart Southampton this summer time, with Newcastle and Aston Villa stated to be amongst these eyeing a attainable transfer for the midfielder.
His contribution at Arsenal was solely extra proof – not that it was wanted – of how they’d miss him on the South Coast.
James Ward-Prowse has been an almighty servant to Southampton and as soon as once more confirmed his high quality on Friday night time
It was Ward-Prowse’s unbelievable supply that created Southampton’s third at Arsenal, a header from Duje Caleta-Automotive that seemed set to safe three very important factors within the race to keep away from relegation.
Then, proper on the demise, as Arsenal pushed for a winner and Reiss Nelson let fly, who was there with an outstretched stud to deflect the ball simply broad?