For Manchester Metropolis and boss Pep Guardiola, ending strongly to win a title is nothing new. Two seasons in the past they went unbeaten by means of their final 23 league matches, successful 19 of them, to complete two factors away from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Metropolis are additionally used to piling on the stress earlier than their title rivals play.
On the previous 15 occasions when Metropolis have performed a day earlier than Arsenal, Guardiola’s facet have gained 11 of them, with three attracts and only one loss – a 2-1 defeat by Newcastle in November.
Former Gunners defender Martin Keown, a three-time Premier League winner, thinks how Arsenal, runners-up in every of the previous three seasons, deal with the stress will outline their marketing campaign.
“It is regular once you need one thing a lot, generally it might get the higher of you,” mentioned Keown. “However there’s loads of time to study from it.
“They’ve not been on this state of affairs the place they have been in entrance too typically. It is virtually about doing a reset right here, which they’ve talked about prior to now. If we had been beginning the season afresh, you’d simply go after your opponent and simply end the job off.
“You additionally must belief your team-mates within the second. It’s good to attempt to create a steely, calm dedication.”
Steve Bruce, who gained three Premier League titles with Manchester United within the Nineties, mentioned: “Arsenal have proven outstanding consistency up to now.
“Each recreation, irrespective of the place you play and who you play, it turns into tough, particularly for those who’re in a title race and particularly for those who’re Arsenal, as a result of they have not gained it in so lengthy.
“What you need at the moment is the massive gamers to carry out. I used to be lucky sufficient to play in a group the place a sure Frenchman got here to the fore – we all the time thought ‘Eric [Cantona] will get us out of bother’.”
Joe Hart, a two-time Premier League winner with Manchester Metropolis, added: “There will likely be numerous questions, numerous noise on Arsenal – that’s life on the prime. There isn’t a level in worrying, you need to dwell in your personal world.
“They know what’s coming of their rear-view mirror. Arsenal have been on this state of affairs earlier than although, they know what they should do.”
