These few coming weeks will tell us whether Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester city are still in the title race or fighting for second place. Most people seem to have written Arsenal out of the title race , but that may suit us just fine. Arsene Wenger is also naturally keeping his cards close to his chest, though I am quite sure that is just a ploy on his part.
Arsenal are best placed to take on Chelsea for the Premier League title due to our more favourable run in than the rest who of the teams around us who are playing each other and will drop points. Take the case of Chelsea who, after their game against QPR will play against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge before taking on Arsenal at the Emirates.
There is definitely a case to be said that Jose Mourinho knows how to set up his teams to play against the big boys while he wins against the so called smaller teams. In other words, he will look to get a draw out of these big games and grind out results as he did against Stoke City and Hull City recently.
However, this season, he has struggled against these smaller sides, losing to Newcastle United and Tottenham, and drawing against the likes of Burnley when he was expected to stroll to victories.
In order for Arsenal to win the title, they should aim to take advantage of any potential draws while making sure the consistency they have found continues until the very end. They should also go for a draw in the game against Chelsea at the Emirates. I know it seems strange to say that Arsenal should not go for an outright win despite their current form and their newfound confidence that they can compete with the big boys but one needs only to look at Arsene Wenger’s dismal record against Mourinho that shows Arsenal should aim for a draw.
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Against Liverpool last season, Mourinho parked the bus and waited for an opportunity on the counter attack while Liverpool naively continued with their all out attack which brought about a very demoralizing defeat. Arsenal should, at all costs, avoid defeat to Mourinho by aiming for a draw and living to fight another day. Losing to Chelsea will hurt our morale more than anything and give Chelsea the impetus they were looking for.
With Chelsea still to play a rejuvenated Crystal Palace and a well drilled West Brom as well as a wounded Liverpool, I dare say there will be a twist in the tale. Arsenal should be ready to pounce.
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