Arsenal really have to sweep away the fear of November now if they want to challenge for the title this season. After having a fine start to the season, the Gunners’ last weekend’s performance against Tottenham has seen them slip down to fourth place.
Arsenal failed to capitalise on City’s draw the day before, which would have surely kept them in the second spot before going to the international break. Although there is a very small gap of just 1 point between the teams in the top four, Arsenal need to come back strongly after the inter lull as Premier League is experiencing a rare situation where every at least six teams are in contention.
The draw against Spurs wasn’t the worst result though as Pochettino’s men are yet to lose a match this season. Compared to Arsenal, the rest of the top sides Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and City had easier games and Arsenal will surely get a chance to go up in the coming weeks. The only thing they have to do is keep winning games.
With Manchester United away and PSG at home in the Champions League, Arsenal have some pretty tricky fixtures in front of them. Unlike the last few seasons, Arsenal have often shown a fighting spirit this season like the last-ditch winner against Burnley or the comeback against Sunderland after levelling the game at the 70th minute.
In a very different scenario, Arsene Wenger have a complete first team this season at his disposal in a crucial time of the season. Here are 3 players at Arsenal who, we think, should step up their game after the break and take the club to the top.
Olivier Giroud
The French International voiced his frustration lately after being left on benched against Tottenham. Since returning from injury in the League Cup against Reading, the striker has been in red-hot form. He scored two goals with his first two touches of the game against Sunderland after coming off the bench.
When he had arrived at the club after Robin Van Persie’s departure, he was compared to the Holland international and he had countered that he wasn’t there to take his place, but make his own. He now has the chance to take the club to the heights that van Persie could not. He will get more of the central role in Arsenal’s upcoming matches and he needs to take his chances.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
He had a terrible game against the Spurs where the crowd saw the agile winger misplacing many crosses. Apart from that the England international had a pretty decent season bagging goals both in the Champions league and English Premier League.
Now with reports emerging of Alexis Sanchez being injured in the international break, Arsene will have to turn to him more often. Although Alex Iwobi has been decent in the right flank, Chamberlain could be very effective in that area which he showed against Liverpool. His burst of pace is a great threat to any defence.
If he wants this to be his season, he will have to pull up his socks. Walcott has already shown glimpses of his rejuvenated self this season and Chamberlain has to follow suit.
Santi Cazorla
The Spanish midfielder has been one of the most important players for Arsenal until he was off with an injury. He is expected to return after the break and what better way to claim a comeback than at Old Trafford.
His presence gives a whole new level to Arsenal attack. The workload he takes in the deep midfield results in beautiful football up front. According to Squawka, Cazorla has the highest passing accuracy in the league until he was off injured and can come up with some of the perfect passes to boost Arsenal’s attacking threat. But can he do that immediately? Wenger will really be hoping his midfield magician steps up now.
