Arsenal: A top four finish has officially become possible

Arsenal sneakily had one of the best transfer windows in the Premier League, addressing all of our injury problems for free. We’re now keyed to finish the year on a high note, possibly even in the top four.

In case you forgot, due to their abysmal record from the first half of the season, Arsenal are still a big-six side. We have one of the most talented rosters in the league, and due to an excellent January transfer window, we are now keyed for a top four finish.

We have addressed our injury problems with safe, reliable, ready-to-go options, and with a midfield and defense returning from a series of suspensions and illnesses, we’re looking like a whole new team. Or at least, a team with a chance at success during the second half of the season.

One of the main reasons for that is Mikel Arteta. I have waxed lyrical about the Spaniard since he arrived at Arsenal, and for good reason. He’s a fantastic coach, tactician, and human, and he is leading this club into the future.

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But it’s not just him. This squad looks tenacious, hungry, and like nothing I have seen in North London for quite some time. They’re not resting on Arsene Wenger’s laurels, nor struggling to keep up with Unai Emery’s jackrabbit of a mind. They look fierce, like losing a game is not an option. And to their credit, they’ve only lost once, and not in the past 6 matches.

And look at the league table. Arsenal, sitting in 10th, are a mere six points of fifth spot. Chelsea are four points above that in fourth, but they have looked fragile against bottom sides this year, and concede far too many goals to keep that spot viable.

Furthermore, Leicester’s valiant start to the season has plateaued as injuries have crept in. Wolves and Sheffield United are looking beatable, and we only have to play one of them for the rest of the season. Spurs have looked anemic under Mourinho, and Manchester United could not be more hit-or-miss.

All-in-all, it is still a table in chaos, and if they keep on their current run of form, Arsenal can easily rise above the mess. Goals will start flowing more easily with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back in the lineup, and Gabriel Martinelli is just coming into his own as well. Expect more from both of them.

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And finally, what do we have to lose? I can honestly say that I would rather finish out of the top six than in a Europa League spot again. It’s a sub-par competition to the one in which we belong—the Champions League—and midweek fixtures cause injuries and create problems. Our failed Europa League campaign kept us from top-four last year, due to issues created by the overloaded schedule. If we do go for a high-place, let’s go for gold.

Jurgen Klopp’s first Liverpool team finished eighth. People forget that. But the next season, he was right back to contending for the title, because he had time to establish his legacy at the club, pick the team and players he wanted, and without pesky midweek-fixtures in the way, was able to focus on the league instead. His team has since finished fourth twice, then second, and will likely win the league this campaign.

This Arsenal team has the opportunity to make a serious comeback this season, and to begin the Mikel Arteta era with success that we have not seen for years: a top four finish. We have the squad, the coach, and the fire to do it. So let’s do it.