Its Not Over - superztars

Images of Declan Rice stating “it’s not done” became a viral sensation following Arsenal‘s recent defeat to Manchester City last week. The Gunners responded by exerting pressure back onto their rivals in the Premier League title chase.

Eberechi Eze‘s brilliant goal secured a vital 1-0 win over Newcastle, propelling them three points ahead of Manchester City in the early stages of what Mikel Arteta dubbed “a new league” following last week’s setback against Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Now, Arsenal finds themselves in a favorable position after “game one”.

“I’m really pleased with the victory,” Arteta stated. “We spoke about the importance of ‘game one’, and we accomplished what we set out to do.

“We needed to focus on what we could control, and we discussed that as a team.

“Game one was in our hands, and we had to approach it effectively. Did we manage to secure the win? Yes, we did. We aimed for a wider margin, but it wasn’t feasible. However, we’ve certainly done the job.”

Meanwhile, City’s triumph over Burnley during the week bumped Arsenal down to second place for the first time since October, with both teams level on points and goal difference, but City leading due to a higher goals scored tally.

This placed immense pressure on an Arsenal team entering the match against Newcastle following two consecutive defeats—a first for them this season. The relief of breaking that streak was evident as players collapsed to the ground after the final whistle.

Looking ahead to the remaining four league matches, Arteta expressed his readiness to face the pressure that comes with ending the club’s lengthy title drought.

“I don’t anticipate a smooth journey after 22 years without a title. It’s going to be a challenging path, and we’re prepared for it,” he said.

Arsenal’s Position in the Title Race

If Arsenal defeats Fulham in their home game next week, they will extend their lead over Manchester City to six points, although City will have two games in hand.

This is due to City competing against Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday and not returning to league play until May 4, when they face Everton.

Having that points advantage by the time City returns is crucial for Arteta’s team.

According to Opta, Arsenal’s chances of lifting the Premier League trophy at the season’s end stand at 72.44%, compared to City’s 27.56%.

“Arsenal put in an incredible effort on the pitch,” said former Crystal Palace and Brighton striker Glenn Murray on BBC Radio 5 Live. “You can’t question their determination.”

Arsenal has not claimed a major trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2020 during Arteta’s inaugural season as manager.

Captain Martin Odegaard emphasized that the players’ efforts stem from their collective commitment to achieve success.

“It was tough, very intense, and physical,” he told Sky Sports. “We did everything we could to secure the win. The most crucial aspect was to bounce back and claim all three points.”

For Odegaard, who played the full match, and the rest of the team, the focus quickly shifts to their upcoming Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

“This schedule is hectic,” Odegaard noted. “We just have to keep pushing. As the season ends, we need to give everything we have, fight in every game, and stay persistent.

“We want to be at the top, but this journey will be challenging until the end. We are prepared for the fight and will push every day.”

Arsenal Faces Fatigue and Injuries

Despite the victory, Arsenal’s performance was not without its flaws.

The Gunners recorded an xG of only 0.64 against Newcastle, marking their second-lowest throughout the season at the Emirates—only surpassed by a 0-0 draw with Liverpool in January.

As the match neared its conclusion, desperation was evident as the Gunners fought valiantly to safeguard their goal, nearly conceding as substitute Yoanne Wissa shot over from close range.

The physical toll of the match was apparent.

Kai Havertz left the field in the first half due to a muscular injury, and Eze was substituted after the break with a similar issue, although Arteta expressed optimism about their availability for Wednesday’s match.

The Gunners struggled offensively after Viktor Gyokeres came on to replace Havertz, and the team struggled to generate scoring opportunities even prior to his injury.

Ultimately, it took a moment of brilliance from Eze to clinch the victory.

Since the start of the 2022-23 season, Eze has scored more goals from outside the penalty area (10) than any other player in the Premier League.

With at least six matches remaining, the Gunners will need to manage their resources wisely. As they tried to secure the win, Arteta brought on Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield for Martin Zubimendi, who was dealing with illness.

Although Lewis-Skelly primarily plays as a left-back for the first team, he began his career in the Gunners academy as a midfielder.

With results being the top priority at this stage of the season, Arteta is doing everything possible to guide his team towards silverware.