3 reasons why Arsenal must focus their attention on cup competitions

Arsenal are now beyond the halfway point of their Premier League campaign and sit six points behind leaders Liverpool with an extra game played.

With both sides dropping points this weekend, there was no room for the Gunners to put more pressure on Arne Slot's side and the likelihood of Mikel Arteta leading them to the league title has long been waning.

Fans can argue all day long about how Arsenal have been robbed by referees or how injuries have cost the side but frankly, they have not been good enough to keep up with Liverpool this season. Despite having the odd slip-up, the Reds have looked unstoppable this campaign and the Gunners have not been able to replicate their form.

With that being the case, Arsenal's best option now seems to turn their attention to the cup competitions. Here are three reasons why.

1. Realistic ambitions

The more you look at it, Arsenal have never convincingly been in a title race this season. They have not sat at the top of the table after any matchweek and have never been less than five points off the league leaders past the quarter point of the season.

The Gunners have never really been able to put any serious pressure on Liverpool. When their title rivals have dropped points, they haven't capitalised and that has arguably shown that they don't have what is required to keep up with the Reds. Don't get me wrong, the title is far from being decided and Arsenal must chase Liverpool to the very end, but I just can't see them winning it this season.

The cup competitions are far more realistic ambitions for the Gunners. They are set to face Newcastle in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with the first leg to be played on Tuesday. Arsenal will fancy their chances of making the final where they will face either Liverpool or Tottenham.

In the middle of the two semi-final legs, the Gunners host Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup. United offered competence at Anfield on Sunday, but Arsenal will be favoured when Ruben Amorim's side visit and they've got as good a chance as any team to lift that trophy. The toughest of the competitions will be the Champions League but Mikel Arteta does have a squad at his disposal that can at least challenge for Europe's top prize. A couple of January additions wouldn't go amiss, mind.

Crazier things have happened in Premier League title races, but success in each of the cup competitions looks to be far more realistic targets for the Gunners during the second half of the season.

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