Arsenal Always

Until Arsenal Win the League, They Can't Win the League

Nerves creep into Arsenal's title challenge

There was a strange atmosphere inside Emirates Stadium all afternoon.

...the magnitude of the opportunity before them -- winning their first Premier League title since 2004 -- seemed to inhibit everyone connected to the Gunners on Sunday. ...there were mistakes from several other players, including a surprisingly unsettled William Saliba.

Their game management raises questions about their mentality to see out the title race from here. It follows on from goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, two matches where timidity and caution crept into their play.

Manager Mikel Arteta made a highly unusual quadruple change just before the hour mark...

I noticed that in The Guardian's play-by-play post-match. Desperation.

After being his usual bundle of energy and agitation with the scores level, he was curiously static as Arsenal tried to find a way back.

Olley, ESPN

4:14 pm:

Former Gunners captain Patrick Vieira told Sky Sports after the game that "there are still some questions about the mental strength of the team".

"...At the end, we have to show the mental strength that we have on the pitch when it comes to a match day." Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

James Olley, ESPN

2:13 pm:

...suddenly Arteta's men appeared crippled with anxiety...

PA

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