Despite having an outstanding season, Arsenal is in danger of losing the Premier League title this year.
The Arsenal have been the overwhelming favourites to win the league this season for weeks, with defending champions Man City being forced to play catch-up.
The team led the championship race by eight points, giving Mikel Arteta’s men the appearance of seizing control.
However, two damaging draws against Liverpool and West Ham United are threatening to extinguish their hopes of conquering the English top flight for the first time in close to two decades.
In both fixtures, the north Londoners surrendered a two-goal advantage to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Arsenal’s latest stalemate came at the hands of West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday, April 16.
The visitors raced to a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes before the Hammers sprung a comeback via Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen to settle for a draw.
The result left Arsenal just four points above second-placed Man City, who still have a game in hand.
What Arsenal must do to win EPL
For the Emirates dwellers to be crowned Premier League champions this season, a couple of things need to go their way.
With only seven games left to end the season, Arsenal fans will be keeping their fingers crossed as the campaign enters its homestretch.
Sports Brief now takes a look at five things that must happen for Arsenal to cart home the coveted crown.
1. Avoid further slip-ups
At this point, Arsenal cannot afford any further slip-ups if they are to win the Premier League.
Arteta’s men must hit the ground running in their subsequent matches, starting with their upcoming clash against relegation battlers Southampton.
2. Hope for Man City to falter
Man City often have the scariest run towards the end of a Premier League campaign.
For the longest time, especially during Pep Guardiola’s tenure, City do not drop as many points during the run-in.
But with the side still competing in the FA Cup and the Champions League, it is almost likely they could drop some points on the way.
3. See off Man City
Arsenal’s trip to the Etihad Stadium has been touted as a possible decider for this season’s EPL title race.
For context, Pep Guardiola has already described the cracker as a final.
One thing Arsenal must have on top of their agenda is to pick points in the encounter.
4. Avoid mental breakdown
Arsenal stars are bound to suffer a mental breakdown in the coming days.
This is especially so due to their recent outings where they have dropped points from winning positions.
Mikel Arteta and his backroom staff will have to find a way to keep the squad motivated and in high spirits ahead of the run-in.
5. Arteta’s tactics with the squad
Mikel Arteta has an almost fully fit squad to select from in the upcoming matches.
The Spaniard’s biggest headache is perhaps how to line up in his attack after the return of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
Arteta’s squad rotation and tactics are expected to play a key role in how the remainder of their campaign pans out.
Haaland appears to troll Arsenal
In news related to Arsenal’s draw with West Ham, Sports Brief reported on Erling Haaland’s reaction to the result on social media.
The Norwegian posted a photo of himself on Twitter moments after the cracker with the caption ‘Mood’ in what is seen as a jibe at his team’s title rivals.