Arsenal’s quest for a first Premier League title since 2004 is not over yet – but they need luck and fresh additions to get them back on track.
That’s the view of Gunners legend Martin Keown, who believes things aren’t as bad at the Emirates as what is being made out.
The north Londoners, who have the same number of points at this stage of the season as they did last year, remain in contention for an unprecedented – and unlikely – quadruple this term.
Mikel Arteta‘s men sit second in the Premier League table – six points behind leaders Liverpool – and are on course to finish in the top eight of the revamped Champions League group stage.
But their campaign is at risk of collapse following last weekend’s 1-1 draw away at Brighton, before losing 2-0 at home to Newcastle in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
A lack of creativity was again questioned by fans and pundits against the Magpies, but they can bounce back in the best way possible against Manchester United in Sunday’s FA Cup third round clash.
Speaking ahead of the encounter, Keown reflected on the doom and gloom surrounding his former club – insisting the landscape of the Premier League can quickly change.
Asked what constitutes success for Arsenal this season, he said he’d rather wait to see what happens but added: “They can win the European Cup, they can win the League Cup, Arsenal are in everything right now.
“But January will tell us a lot, because they’re in the middle of nine games that they’re playing in – there’s two extra Champions League games now to add to the calendar which we’ve not had in the past.
“So there is lots to play for, that’s a positive for me, whether they go into the transfer market, that could be significant.
“[Ethan] Nwaneri coming in, it’s like a new player to the squad, that’s been really invaluable, but he could only play for 45 minutes [against Brighton before going off with injury].
“He’s a 17-year-old boy, so you have to be mindful of that. [Gabriel] Jesus and [Gabriel] Martinelli have to keep stepping up, [Kai] Havertz has been ill.
“[Martin] Odegaard was also ill and sat on the bench against Brighton, so there’s been lots of issues.
“But at the halfway stage, I think they’ll look at it, and go, ‘It’s been a bit of a nightmare in terms of discipline, red cards, suspensions and injuries,’ but there they are still in second place.
“So I see that as a positive right now, but every game is a game you must not lose and you must win, we’re in that territory, but they’ve been used to this now.
“For the last two seasons they have been second place to Man City, they’ll get back on track.
“Brighton, we know spent £200million in the summer, look at their bench! [Karou] Mitoma, [Yankuba] Minteh, [Georginio] Rutter, these are great players that they’ve got… Brighton!
“This Premier League no longer has mid-table teams, we’re looking at Fulham and Bournemouth, this is a much tougher Premier League this year, anyone can beat anyone, and that’s [been] proven.
“Arsenal will be hoping those in the middle block will be doing them a favour, because when you’re six points behind, [Liverpool having] a game in hand, you’re looking for someone else to do you a huge favour.
“And it can spin by the way on any one weekend.”
Arteta knows his side must be at his best if they wish to book a place in the fourth round at United’s expense on Sunday.
It is a fixture steeped in FA Cup tradition, with Arsenal prevailing twice in the final – in 1979 and 2005.
But it’s United who have won the most head-to-head clashes in the tournament – beating the Gunners on eight out of 16 occasions – most recently in the fourth round in 2019 at the Emirates.
And United go into this weekend’s standout tie high on confidence following a 2-2 draw away at Liverpool in a match they could scooped maximum points in.
Keown is aware of the threat that United pose – especially with Ruben Amorim‘s men having more time to prepare with Arsenal in action midweek.
The three-time Premier League champion was pressed whether he is concerned by the prospect of facing a potentially resurgent United side, whose draw at Anfield ended a run of four consecutive defeats under Amorim.
To which he remarked: “Well it depends which Manchester United turns up, but we know this is histrionically always a big game, as the Liverpool game is.
“And they showed what that meant to them against Liverpool at the weekend, and going away to Arsenal, they’ve got seven days [off to recover].”
He added: “Arsenal’s home form is outstanding, very strong, so Manchester United won’t be happy going there.
“But they would have got a level of confidence [from Liverpool match].
“You go to Anfield, the most atmospheric ground in the Premier League – Arsenal are not far behind – but they’ll feel that they can get something.
“But they have to maintain those standards now Manchester United, that’s their standard, that’s their level, but it’s only one game.
“But I expect Arsenal to beat them.”
