Football action remains suspended around the world at the moment owing to the coronavirus outbreak. Countries such as France, the Netherlands and Belgium have already ended their seasons.
A number of options are being suggested to bring the season to an end in England. Although academy level football has been cancelled already, the governing bodies still remain optimistic about getting things over the line at the senior level.
Players have been told to prepare themselves to resume training on 18th May with a possible date for the resumption of action being set for 8th June. A set of neutral venues might be chosen where matches might be played behind closed doors.
Some clubs have already opened their training grounds for the players, with Arsenal being one of the forerunners among them.
However, strict rules are being put in place wherein players will travel to the training ground individually, go to the outdoor pitches, train while maintaining social distancing and return home immediately after the conclusion of the training.
The Gunners have thereby shown some serious intent as they aim to conclude the season on a positive note. In the process, they are hoping to sneak into the top four to bring Champions League football back to the Emirates Stadium. We now take a look at three reasons why Arsenal can turn their dream of playing in the Champions League into a reality.
# 1 Arsenal finding a new lease of life under Mikel Arteta
Following the sacking of Unai Emery back in November, the north London-based side brought in their former player, Mikel Arteta as their new manager. Since Arteta’s appointment, the Premier League giants have lost just twice, winning eight games and drawing five of the 15 matches played.
In the process, they have managed to narrow down the gap between themselves and the teams above them, with eight points currently separating them from fourth-placed Chelsea. Although third-placed Leicester City have 53 points, they have won just one of their last five Premier League games, losing twice.
Arteta currently averages 1.93 points per game and with nine matches still left to be played, Arsenal can still manage another 17 points in their remaining games and can definitely get their way back into the top four.
The Spaniard’s experience of working under one of the most successful managers in the form of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City can also prove to be vital in his team’s attempt at holding on to their nerves and getting the job done.
#2 Chelsea or Leicester City slipping up
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, on the other hand, averages 1.63 points per game and although that average would be enough for them getting an edge over their local rivals, the Blues have gained notoriety for being inconsistent. In fact, Chelsea have drawn three and won four of their last ten games and can slip up during the business end of the season.
Similarly, it will be interesting to see whether Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City team can hold on to their nerves when the going gets tough once the season resumes. There was in fact been a dip in form which was made evident in the way they performed in their last few games before the break. The 47-year-old has the infamous distinction of failing to hand Liverpool the league title back in 2014, losing to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea and in the process, allowing Manchester City to capitalise.
A number of players such as Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel have tasted Premier League success with the club under Claudio Ranieri back in 2016. But, whether they can finish in the top four this season, is a question that remains to be answered.
# Arsenal playing without pressure
Many have already written the Gunners off in the race for the top four which can miraculously work in their favour when the action resumes. No one is even giving them an outside chance of making it to the top four. And therefore, the team will be playing without much pressure.
Arsenal were knocked out of the Europa League just before the break after losing to Olympiakos in the Round of 32. This means that the FA Cup is the only competition they have to concentrate on apart from the Premier League. A couple of teams ahead of the Gunners in the Premier League table – Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are still alive in Europe which means that their managers will have to get their strategies in place for those tournaments as well.
Given Arsenal’s record of sneaking into the top four, the dreams of making it possible one more time isn’t dead by any means. And it has to be remembered that the current boss at the Emirates is one that has learned first-hand from the master of the game – Arsene Wenger.
However, the north Londoners can in no way take things for granted and will have to depend on the teams above them to do them some favour if they are to restore something from the 2019-20 season.
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