Where Will Arsenal’s Journey Lead Them Next?

“The Gunners are on fire” is the headline from the Daily Mirror, while the Sun cheers, “Arsenal never stops”. The English press is buzzing this Thursday morning after another compelling performance by the team. The trip to Bruges was anticipated to be tricky, as the Belgian club can easily unsettle any top European side when in form. Arsenal arrived with a lengthy injury list, especially in defense (Gabriel, Saliba, Timber, and Calafiori), forcing Mikel Arteta to field summer signing Christian Norgaard, typically a midfield player, alongside Hincapié in central defense.

On the offensive front, Arteta chose to bench Bukayo Saka, allowing another summer recruit, Noni Madueke, to play. The overwhelming 3-0 victory, featuring a double from Madueke and a goal from Martinelli, showcased the success of the extensive transfer activity. Arsenal, even with a makeshift squad, continues to navigate challenges week after week. Predictions for a decisive week between November 23 and 30? Arsenal triumphed over Tottenham and Bayern Munich, then managed a draw against Chelsea. Despite a crushing last-minute defeat against Aston Villa, the Gunners bounced back strongly with a 3-0 away win in the Champions League.

Key Players Returning and a Favorable Schedule

Now, Arsenal sits at the top of both the Premier League and the Champions League, holding a three-point lead over Bayern Munich. Mikel Arteta’s outlook seems bright, especially with Gabriel Jesus making a return last night and hitting the crossbar during his 30 minutes on the pitch. Despite the numerous absentees and tactical adjustments, the team maintains a steadfast spirit. “We understand how tough the Champions League is, and winning away, especially with so many players missing, makes the victory even sweeter. Right now, it’s about managing the defensive situation. Some players were available, but could only play 30 or 45 minutes. It’s been challenging. However, given the players’ mindset, I know that if I ask any of them to play in a different position, they’ll do it, and they did an outstanding job,” commented Arteta after the match.

Arsenal can thus face the new challenging phase ahead with confidence. This period is critical, especially with the hectic schedule in late December and Boxing Day. The London club seems well-equipped, both in quantity and quality, with the schedule offering them four home matches out of the next five against manageable opponents. With only two losses across all competitions (both away and by a single goal), Arsenal is determined to keep the momentum going.