While the final scoreline only read 1-0 in favor of Manchester City, Sunday’s match at the Emirates gave Arsenal a pretty good idea of where they stand among the top teams in the Premier League. Simply put, Arsenal looked like a team that belongs where they are in the table, firmly in the middle.
The league leaders City barely broke a sweat after scoring in the second minute through Raheem Sterling, and for all the hard work Arsenal did in chasing and growing into the game, they never seriously threatened the opposition’s goal. With their eleventh league loss of the season confirmed, finishing in the European places this season seems like a pipe dream. That makes Thursday’s second leg clash with Benfica in the Europa League the most vital match of the season for Mikel Arteta’s project.
Any real hope that Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy have of a squad overhaul seriously hinges on the prospect of playing European soccer in the 2021-22 season. Arsenal’s shock run to win the 2020 FA Cup, gaining a place in Europa in the process, was vital in securing the signatures of Thomas Partey and Gabriel Marghales. If Arteta’s vision for this team is to be fulfilled by bringing in more attacking midfield talent and another prolific striker amongst others, Arsenal very well may have to win the Europa League. The club has been in a serious state of decline since 2016-17, and there is no coincidence that that aligns with the last time Arsenal competed in the Champions League. That coupled with the emergence of new English contenders such as Leicester, Spurs, Everton, and even West Ham this year has pushed the Gunners even further down the pecking order. Simply put, things look bleak.
This round of 32 clash should have been put to bed in the first leg in Rome, but in typical Arsenal fashion, chances were wasted, and a silly penalty conceded led to a 1-1 draw. While that “away” goal is undoubtedly helpful, that match easily could have ended 4-0 and allowed for some much-needed squad rotation tomorrow. Instead, youngsters Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe will most likely see their absurd usage rates continue, as well as previously injured Kieran Tierney being forced to play two matches in less than a week upon his return. The knock-on effect from their poor play will only continue to affect the squad as the matches continue to come fast and heavy.
Drawing Benfica in the round of 32 was clearly unlucky as the Portuguese side is one of the strongest remaining in the competition. While Spurs and Leicester toy with Wolfsberg and Slavia Praha, respectively, Arsenal have had to battle with a European staple. That being said, the dispatching of Benfica should ideally lead to an easier matchup in the round of 16.
Arsenal proved in the first leg that they are the better squad. Now they must go to Greece with the confidence to finish their chances and take the game to the opposition. Failure to advance will put the final nail in a so-far horrid 2020-21 season and only increase the negativity currently surrounding the club and its fan base. No pressure, though.
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