%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Are Arsenal better positioned for title assault after collapse last season?
- Arsenal was in the title race up to its eyeballs last season before a late collapse handed Manchester City the spoils
By Adam Schultz
Arsenal were well-positioned last season for an assault on the Premier League title, but costly injuries meant the squad was overrun by Manchester City - but is this year different?
The Gunners were in great shape to end their title drought, but three successive draws coupled with a 4-1 loss at the Etihad saw the title race turn on its head.
Arsenal would then win three of their next five, but defeats to Brighton and Nottingham Forest sealed their fate as City eventually waltzed to their third successive title.
Injuries played a major role in Arsenal's downfall as William Saliba's injury in the Europa League round of 16 second leg meant he would miss the rest of the season.
The Gunners had been superb defensively, but with Saliba out, it all came crumbling down. Not to mention other injuries to Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus meant that the Arsenal squad simply couldn't overcome those losses.
But what about now?
Are Arsenal better positioned for title assault after collapse last season?
With ten Premier League games remaining, the Gunners sit on top of the table albeit on goal difference (+7 over second-placed Liverpool) and have health in their favour.
Saliba is fit and firing, Gabriel Jesus is working his way back to full fitness, Thomas Partey is getting minutes into his legs after a long layoff. Oh, and Jurrien Timber is set to return after the international break.
Tick, tick and tick.
While yes, having a healthy squad at this time of year is fantastic, it doesn't automatically give Arsenal an edge over their rivals, but in such a close race, having your full squad available could prove beneficial - especially with the Champions League games coming thick and fast too.
Last year, Arsenal limped to the finish line with injuries to key players the catalyst for their downfall, but now, a year on and Arteta's squad is nearing full strength.
That is exactly what you want and need for a Premier League title assault that is coming to the pointy end of the season against two juggernauts in Liverpool and Manchester City.
READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE!
feed