Even in recent weeks, Arsenal have slipped up a bit, but their 7-1 destruction of PSV in the Champions League has poured some much-needed oil back on the fires of European glory. Their Premier League stuttered with five points dropped against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, but the Gunners have found a new focus: winning the biggest prize in club football.
Even though it’s been highs and lows, Mikel Arteta’s side now has the perfect season to bring it all together. Such has been Arsenal’s domestic form and with key injuries troubling the squad, their Champions League victory in Eindhoven was the perfect confidence booster for the squad ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
Arsenal Smashes PSV: A Turning Point?
Few would have predicted Arsenal smashing seven past PSV, especially with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli absent. Yet, football is unpredictable, and Arteta’s men delivered a masterclass. Independantly, Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber, Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori put Arsenal’s attacking strength on show.
It wasn’t just a result of criticism — it was a proclamation. However, its European ambitions are now paramount, while Arsenal are not out of the title race yet. It might be the best move for them to shift their focus to Champions League success with the Premier League gap growing between them and Liverpool.
Can they Go All the Way in the Champions League?
That’s not a road to Munich. Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid will likely be their enemies in the quarter-finals, Hazard first and foremost. But Arteta’s men have every reason to believe as their attacking fluidity is showing and their defensive ease increases.
Come April, the perfect boost could come in the shape of Saka and Martinelli’s return. Martinelli will become fit for the first leg of the quarter-finals and might make his comeback for the second leg at the Bernabeu if Saka pushes through. I don’t think Arsenal can control their European form. If they do, they can be very good contenders for the trophy.
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