MARTIN KEOWN: Arsenal have to stay focused after their hiccup against West Ham like we did in 1998 and 2002… the opportunity is still there in front of Mikel Arteta’s young, talented, hungry group
This is such a young Arsenal group that hiccups had to be expected.
Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko aside, they are attempting to win a Premier League for the first time, whereas rivals Manchester City are a group rich in experience after winning the title in four of the last five seasons.
To compare this Arsenal to the one in 1997-98, we drew 0-0 with West Ham but then won 10 games in a row to be crowned champions.
In 2001-02, we drew 1-1 with Southampton but then won 12 in a row to take the title. That momentum carried us through to the finish line.
Mikel Arteta’s team know it will take something close to perfection between now and the end of the season for them to see this out.
For the second game running Arsenal blew a 2-0 lead having been pegged back at Liverpool
In 2001-02, the Gunners drew 1-1 with Southampton but then won 12 in a row to take the title
That includes navigating their way through a title-deciding trip to Manchester City on April 26, a game which has all the makings of a Premier League final.
But the opportunity is still there in front of this young, talented, hungry group.
First and foremost, Arsenal have to make sure there is no hangover from these two matches in which they lost 2-0 leads.
They had their opponents on the floor and by the throat on Sunday but allowed West Ham to get back up and into the game with that cheap goal before half-time, Thomas Partey losing the ball to Declan Rice and Gabriel fouling Lucas Paqueta.
That penalty totally changed the atmosphere at the London Stadium and Arsenal paid the price for making expensive mistakes.
They’ll have been hurting yesterday morning. But nothing is won and lost yet.
By the time Arsenal go to City later this month, they can be seven points clear at the top of the table.
They have to embrace that fact, stay focused, be ruthless and play with authority, starting with the visit of Southampton this Friday.
The Hammers fell two goals behind against the Gunners after just 10 minutes into the game
Their lead at the top of the table is now down to four points over City, who have a game in hand
It won’t be easy, but then winning the Premier League never is.
Having gone through these bumps, it will taste even sweeter if they can finally celebrate being champions.
Like we did in ’98 with our 10th straight victory over Everton on a glorious day at Highbury, or in ’02 with our 12th consecutive win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
These Arsenal players have been on an incredible journey and the dream is still alive.
