Arsenal: Momentum and consistency critical for success

Momentum and consistency, two things that have eluded Arsenal for years, must be attained if the club wants to achieve success this season. Here’s why.

Arsenal have played four games this season, losing the first two against Manchester City and Chelsea and winning against West Ham United and Cardiff City before the international break.

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After two tough losses to two top-six sides — it must be said that while City were the far better team, the game versus Chelsea was quite close –, Arsenal managed to establish a bit of momentum prior to the break.

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We have yet to see if the momentum continues after the international break, but the next few fixtures are rather kind (you never know with the Gunners, but, on paper, it looks like a nice run). Not until November do they play another team from the top six. In a challenging and turbulent Premier League, this run offers a rare chance to establish true momentum.

They have to carry this momentum until they face Liverpool in November. As all football fans know, confidence and form can change entire games, even seasons, if they are allowed to. Alexandre Lacazette has looked confident ever since he recovered from his injury towards the end of last season. This goes a long way to explaining the flood of goals he has contributed to since his return, in contrast to the dearth prior to his absence.

Along with momentum, Arsenal also have the opportunity to establish another trait that has evaded them for years: consistency. There has to be more consistency in the attack overall performance of the team, which will lead to more consistent results.

It is not good enough to simply outscoring the opponent every week. The defense must also be able to effectively deal with opposing teams’ offensive prowess. This is a good team. They are, however, one of the few teams that can climb their way to a draw against Liverpool after being two or three goals down one weekend and then lose to Brighton and Hove Albion the next. Consistency has never been their M.O. — their prowess in cup competitions in comparison to their toils in the league pays testament to this.

Last year, Arsenal had an incredible record at home, gaining the most points from home games in the Premier League bar Manchester City. Their away record, however, leaves much to be desired. Last season, the points gained from away games was one of the worst in the league. They only won two away games in 2018. And they still finished six.

It is frightening to think how well they would do if they could build enough momentum and to develop enough consistency to beat teams away from home. This next run of fixtures offers the chance to do exactly that. Let’s hope that they take advantage.