Arsenal, over the past few years have lead seasons of regrets and maybes, however, that could be about to change if they can avoid a déjà vu and finish the season with a flourish.
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The Gunners currently place sixth on the league table and could move up to third by winning their games in hand. However, it is most likely that a win this weekend over Watford will leave them in the top four at the end of the gameweek.
Their rivals, West Ham United play away to Liverpool at Anfield while Manchester United will be involved in the Manchester derby when they visit the Ethiad on Sunday.
Arsenal, with a trip to Vicarage Road to face Burnley have the easier fixture compared to their counterparts but in the Premier League, no fixture is easy, mostly when you play away from home.
In the past, the Gunners have endured difficulties at the moments that could prove crucial in their season and despite their really poor form last season, they missed out on the top four by just six points.
This season after their poor start in the first three games, no side has picked up more points in the league than the Gunners since their win over Norwich City, except Liverpool and Manchester City. This shows how much Mikel Arteta side has improved since.
However, there have been really disappointing results in the run. The highlight of that is gifting Everton their only win in eight games back in December, and the goalless draw with Burnley at the Emirates in January.
It is now a matter of ‘if’ the North Londoners can maintain the momentum as the season nears its end in other to ensure avoid a repetition of the hurtful past.
Evident in their last win over Wolverhampton Wonderers, who themselves have been in impeccable form of late, losing two out of ten before the game against West Ham United in the weekend, Arsenal have been the only side to beat them in those ten games.
The second win was a dramatic come from behind win, and that shows the mentality Arteta has imbibed in the players not to give up till the end.
It’s been promising for Arsenal lately however, anything but a win at Vicarage Road will mean they haven’t learnt their lesson, and they are still the same inconsistent Arsenal.
But a win will show they are ready to take that up, and such character might earn them a place in the Champions League next season.
Watford showed great mental strength to leave the Old Trafford with a point last weekend and Arsenal will know this is no easy fixture with players like Emmanuel Dennis and Ismaila Sarr, Roy Hodgson side have what it takes to hurt any side.
The bright side is, the Hornet are really off form at the moment, with just one win in their last fifteen games, the odds will be on an Arsenal win.
Emile Smith Rowe has returned after missing the last game against Wolves while Takehiro Tomiyasu remains the only absentee for the visitors, who will be looking for a really needed win on the road.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
