Arsenal celebrate being three points closer to Champions League

Arsenal are on a path that many across the Premier League appear too cynical or jaded to really appreciate. They are a young team, a team that almost knows no better than to behave as freely as they do, and the comradery of the players that Mikel Arteta fields each match almost seems to catch certain opposing players unawares.

Against Wolves a few weeks back, Ruben Neves commented that the Gunners were celebrating after the ten-man victory against them in ways that he hadn’t seen them act in ten years or so. Ashley Young felt similarly after the most recent loss to Arsenal, claiming that the team was acting as though they had won the league.

Such cynicism during a Premier League match should warrant a red card. Those two players obviously do not get that, as for this team, goals are being achieved in real-time, and progress is being felt in a very tangible way. That which is worth celebrating about, to be sure.

These Gunners are not perfect, but they are perfectly full of passion and desire to better their lot and their position each match, and that sort of energy has carried over to the supporters as well.

Arsenal have something special brewing in the Premier League and beyond and everyone senses it now – top four charge is on

The energy of the Arsenal traveling supporters is electric. And they, like their team, do not care that no trophies are on the line any longer this season. They are cheering for this team regardless of the result in part because this team is so young and fearless that its mistakes are more easily forgivable than those of a grizzled old outfit.

It is brilliant to see, brilliant to feel and brilliant to experience. A team and club is being revitalized before our very eyes, and you’re darn right the players and fans are acting with such exuberance; they are observing the rebirth of their beloved club, while the players are feeling that very energy coursing through their veins with every successful pass, play and matchday.

There is real confidence in how this team wants to play now, and everyone knows it, yet it is much harder to stop it even still. Perhaps the top three can put it to bed, or make it more difficult, but even they are beginning to notice that the Gunners are gaining on Champions League outfits without even being in a European competition whatsoever.

Against Aston Villa, the match never seemed in doubt. The goal by Bukayo Saka was not one to frame, but it did count the same as all the others do; the final attack by Villa proved to be their best chance of the day and now Arsenal have a bit of a break before they face Crystal Palace in a London Derby vs Patrick Vieira and company.

Arsenal is four points up on Manchester United, and still with a gap on West Ham and Tottenham. They have games in hand on all of those teams, and also play them all in the coming two months. The future lies in their hands, and they continue to show that they very much wish to grab that opportunity firmly by season’s end.

The team will have to remain focused, but also, in what is perhaps somewhat contradictory, they will have to relax before the next massive run of matches is before them. There is a lot of pressure on any and every team that is trying to get into the Champions League, never mind a young team full of skill, dreamers and overachievers. Yet, the games must remain fun and free.

Arsenal, in short, must remain the Arsenal that supporters have come to love over the season since the rocky August that sent chills across north London. What has got them here, and what has made so many opposing players so angry and petty, is going to have to carry this team onward.

The passion and excitement that flows through this outfit is contagious, and the whole team is afflicted now. Punishing Premier League clubs while celebrating in the aftermath isn’t for every team, but it is certainly for the Arsenal.