Arsenal firmly gunning for a top six Premier League finish

After the first stretch of Premier League matches, everyone was laughing at Arsenal, questioning the Mikel Arteta era, and wondering out loud how much longer the Gunners would have to sit in mediocrity before they would be ready to rejoin the elite of the division. With one game until the third international break of the season, now firmly in November, it is difficult to hear anyone laughing or asking questions like they were.

Arsenal have gone unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions, and with seven wins, two draws, and six clean sheets, they are doing it with good defense, fluid ball movement, and fast, fun and positive offensive play. There is no question now that the Arteta revolution simply needed a bit more time, a few more players, and a spark.

The youth of Arsenal, derided as a possible weakness only months ago, appears to be the biggest strength that the team possesses: Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Aaron Ramsdale have been improving and growing in leaps and bounds, and have pushed Arsenal from an inconsistent fringe club to one that should be concerning even the tougher teams that play in both England and Europe.

After the 5-0 thumping that Arsenal took at the hands of Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, they have bounced back and have looked a winning, determined side. With Watford coming up, it will be a good chance to push their unbeaten run to ten, before their third international break allows for them to rest and train up further for the upcoming hectic December.

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Tough fixtures await for Arsenal but they have the ability to pass each test and then carry on towards a top six Premier League finish

After that, however, the true mettle of Arsenal will be on display, as the competition becomes as hot as the weather becomes cold.

Coming out of the third international break, two great tests will greet The Arsenal, with an easier game sandwiched between. Matchups against Liverpool and Manchester United loom; one straight away, and the other to kick off December.

While the latter will be as much a test for United as it will for Arsenal, Liverpool will be a tough match for the Gunners to keep their undefeated streak alive (if all goes well against Watford. Should they find a point or three against Jurgen Klopp’s outfit, they will have, once again, demonstrated the merits of their progress and belief.

United, meanwhile, will be difficult but not nearly the same type of task as playing Liverpool. The Reds are sharp and bright, and will crush anyone at any given time, while United have been known under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to crumble and play down to opposition: without Cristiano Ronaldo, it is difficult to believe that Ole still has his job, and he might lose it even with him.

And so, the Gunners will have to come out sharp against them both. Should they take care of business against Watford as they have against others recently, they will go into the Liverpool game with ten matches without a loss, and three points there could mean that United should be more fearful than Arsenal at the start of December.

Newcastle meanwhile, the lone home game in this three-game run to kick off the late November, early December insanity, should be three points, and should Arsenal come into the game with 11 straight matches without a loss, it likely will be. These three games will set the tone for the rest of this run, which will include eight matches between the second of the month and the 28th.

It is a gambit which these Premier League teams have to maneuver each season, and each season there are complaints and pleas. Should Arsenal get to 12 straight undefeated matches across all competitions there is no saying that the Gunners are set in stone for a top-six finish – of course. Yet, there is more reason than ever before to believe that the form the team is in currently can be sustained and should breed success.

Arsenal can, with the help of others, find themselves in the top six come the season’s conclusion.

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