Arsenal are making a title challenge for the first time in years. Read five reasons for optimism at Emirates Stadium, with the Gunners hopeful of ending their trophy drought.
Arsene Wenger’s willingness to adapt
Arsenal have long been known for exciting, expansive football, but this season Arsene Wenger – with the possible influence of Steve Bould – has adapted the mentality of his side.
This season the Gunners have learned to ride out storms of opposition dominance by closing spaces between the lines.
In previous campaigns, Arsenal would capitulate under relentless pressure from teams they should be beating.
This term, while the north London side have lost heavily to Liverpool and Manchester City, since the opening day of the season, only once have they been beaten by a team well below them, in the 1-0 defeat by Stoke City at the beginning of March.
Compared to previous years, that’s a big improvement.
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