Arsenal extended their title dream by winning 1-0 against Manchester United on Sunday at Old Trafford, an essential success to stand up to the runner-up Manchester City, expected at the turn on Tuesday at Tottenham, before the final day at the weekend next.
The Premier League will offer itself a crazy epilogue in a week with a highly suspenseful multiplex, during which the “Gunners” will try to conquer the throne, twenty years after the last coronation in 2004. Manchester City, three-time title holder, however, retains control thanks to the upcoming trip to north London, Tuesday (9:00 p.m.) at Tottenham, the home of historic rival Arsenal.
In the meantime, Mikel Arteta’s team (1st with 86 pts) remains one step ahead of that of Pep Guardiola (2nd, 85 pts): one point and a better goal difference. Arsenal’s attack certainly sparked less than usual on Sunday in the north of England, but it knew how to sting at the right time. And its defense, the best in the country, did the rest.
The “Gunners” overcame the pressure of the event, and also that put by Manchester United throughout the match, proving once again that they had reached a new level in the management of emotions. Conversely, the struggling season of the “Red Devils”, eighth after 14 defeats, continues and it will be difficult to get into Europe via the championship. The future finalists of the FA Cup, on May 25 against Manchester City, have three points less than Newcastle (6th, 57 pts), which they receive on Wednesday in a late match.
Once again, the Mancuniens were weighed down by their defensive errors, like Monday at Crystal Palace (4-0 defeat), and with the same cast: the veteran Jonny Evans and the defensive midfielder Casemiro, holders in the axis in l The absence of Harry Maguire, Raphaël Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelöf. Casemiro, too slow to recover, allowed Kai Havertz to avoid offside to open the scoring. The German got closer to the goal, took advantage of Evans’ passivity and served Leandro Trossard on a plate (20th, 1-0).
The opening score is also to the credit of Arteta. The coach strongly supported Havertz despite his difficult start and the former Chelsea player is involved in 14 goals in 2024. Same with Trossard: the Belgian winger earned his starting stripes and now has four goals in the last five matches championship. Arsenal are now counting on a boost from hated rival Tottenham before their final match next Sunday against Everton at home. Manchester City, against West Ham, will also end their season at home.
If they win the title next Sunday, the “Gunners” will owe it largely to their robust defense, embodied by the guardians of the temple Gabriel and William Saliba, an unbreakable hinge that is difficult to cross. The Londoners have conceded just eight league goals in 2024, and none in four of the last five matches played.
