By Bradley Bennette
Why the gunners are firing so expectantly in the Premier League
For the second year in a row, Arsenal has emerged as a contender for the prestigious Premier League title, shaping what appears to be a thrilling three-horse race. Arsenal is asserting their dominance, sending a clear message to their rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Arsenal has made a resounding return to the Premier League after a testing 3-1 against Liverpool. The Gunners scored 24 goals in just five games, boasting an impressive average xG (expected goals per game) of 4.8. Notable triumphs include commanding 6-0 victories over West Ham and Sheffield United. This turnaround comes on a disappointing December, echo of their front three.
The secret to Arsenal’s high XG
Drawing from his time under Pep Guardiola, it’s no surprise Arsenal has adopted a similar approach to both attacking and defending. Utilising wingbacks in their attacking formations, Arsenal effectively overload the wings, transitioning their front three into a dynamic five. This strategy is mirrored in their defensive play, with wingers tucking in to fortify the midfield and shield the central areas of the pitch.
A breakdown of their strategic dominance
All time top goal scorer Thierry Henry offers expert analysis on MNF (Monday Night Football) Arsenal’s recent form, emphasising their adeptness at applying pressure and their defensive solidity. He commends their relentless pursuit of goals, creating chances stating, “The way we put pressure, the way we don’t concede, I was very loud about putting the ball in the back of the net.”
Despite the past doubts of last year, Henry acknowledges Arsenal’s outstanding performance this season, affirming, “You always doubt, especially with what happened last year, but the way we’ve been playing is outstanding.”
Locally fans are excited about what could potentially come.
Rival fans too also seem to recognise Arsenal’s rich vein of form.
With Manchester United supporter Awesome Olasumbe
Interview with Awesome Olasope – videographed by Bradley Bennette
Great read 👍🏿