Arsenal Can’t Let Slip-Ups Go Unpunished

Capitalise. Capitalise. Capitalise.

There was no reason to, but at stages last season we were served up slices of hope by our direct rivals’ own slip-ups. Given Arsenal seemed to always play on a Sunday, we’d go into clashes knowing victory would either move us above, or closer, to fellow top four challengers.

We rarely ever made the most of it.

The team was so poor that regardless of happenings elsewhere, our chances of beating anyone were slim anyway. Finding the mental reserves to then take advantage of other sides dropping points was at needle in a haystack levels.

Again we’re in a similar position, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City all mustering only draws on Saturday. The latter are likely not to be in and around fourth come the end of the season, but it’s nevertheless chance to take advantage.

Victory against Leicester will move us five clear of United, four clear of City and three clear of the Blues – not to mention we’d also go three above Leicester.

Any amount of breathing space Arsenal can create at this early stage of the season has to be pounced upon. Four wins from six matches with the only defeats coming away at Liverpool and City, on paper at least, would come across as the ideal start if viewed through realistic lenses.

Some performances still cry out for fine-tuning, but Sunday poses one of those clashes were three points, however accrued, will do the trick. Think Nacho Monreal’s deflected 86th minute winner in this fixture three years ago. That’d do nicely.

The clash at the Emirates Stadium is not one we’ll look back on and over analyse from a tactical point of view if a win is secured. Victory, in any manner, will be heralded as another example of the mental fortitude that Mikel Arteta has instilled since his arrival. In home matches against Leicester, that’s all the matters.

Yet to lose at home to the Foxes in the Premier League, extending that run with a draw won’t suffice. By hook or by crook, it’s got to be a win.

If that means putting us through another Manchester City-esque borefest or the painful frustration of the West Ham win, so be it. Just win the game.

We’ll get back to the nitty gritty at another stage. Three points, please.