Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, is poised to secure their third consecutive Premier League title. Guardiola's strategic prowess has led the team to dominate the Premier League table for three successive years, resembling the epic journey of King Odysseus after the Trojan War. Their triumph in the 2020-21 season signified the arrival of the "Trojan Horse" within the city of Troy, and Guardiola assembled his formidable squad consisting of archers, cavalry, infantry, and chariots. The acquisition of the talented Norwegian Erling Haaland completed their preparations for the battle.
Interestingly, it was not Manchester City who maintained their position at the top throughout the season. Arsenal, the mighty Gunners, held the league's pinnacle for a record-breaking 284 days, only to be defeated by Guardiola's relentless army in the final stages. Despite the efforts of Arsenal's own superheroes Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, they faltered when it mattered most, except for the exceptional Bukayo Saka. Saka's versatility and impressive performance of 14 goals and 11 assists this season, playing in various positions including full-back, right midfield, and right wing, showcased his immense talent. The young Gunner committed his future to the club by extending his contract for another eight years, solidifying Arsenal's right midfield and partial wing. However, the absence of a clinical striker proved to be their downfall.
What saddens the fans most is the fact that Arsenal had purchased Gabriel Jesus for 45 million euros from Manchester City, which left the supporters perplexed. In the 2020-21 season, Gabriel Jesus only managed to score 9 goals in 29 games, a disappointing statistic for a striker.
Nevertheless, there was a time when the club enjoyed success. Arsene Wenger, the longest-serving manager from 1996 to 2018, etched his name in Arsenal's history as one of the most successful managers. Under Wenger's leadership, the club secured three Premier League titles in 1997-98, 2001-02, and 2003-04. Wenger became the first non-English manager to achieve such a feat, winning the Premier League and FA Cup within two years of joining. The 2003-04 season marked Arsenal's unbeaten campaign, earning them the title of "Invincibles." Wenger guided the Gunners to six FA Cup victories and a Champions League final appearance in 2006. The story of Wenger and Arsenal is an unforgettable saga of the past, yet the club has struggled to sustain its legacy.
This season, Arsenal's unfortunate fate made them the first team to dominate the league table for an extended period but ultimately fail to claim the trophy. They reached the milestone of 50 points at the halfway mark (19 games), but Manchester City relentlessly pursued and surpassed them. Interestingly, some sports commentators attributed Arsenal's downfall to the exhaustion faced by Bukayo Saka after his notable performance in the FIFA World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in England's journey to the quarterfinals. Saka, despite his weariness, made significant contributions to the club. However, the team as a whole failed to deliver.
The long-awaited dream will have to wait for another season. The decisive blow came on May 20, 2023, when Arsenal shamefully surrendered to Nottingham Forest. While their run this season, progressing from fifth place to reigning at the top for 93% of the season, is a remarkable achievement, the question remains as to how long they can sustain their position amidst clubs that have spent nearly a billion to reach the summit.
Comments