The Gunners won on Manchester United this Sunday, May 12 (1-0), in the Premier League. A success which allows the Londoners to continue to dream of the title, hoping for a misstep from Manchester City, still second in the standings after their victory against Fulham on Saturday, but with a match in hand.
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In life, we always have a choice. This is a maxim that Arsenal will refuse to refer to at the end of the championship, because the club has no choice. This Sunday, as part of the 37th day of the Premier League, the Gunners had to win on the lawn of Manchester United, and they did so narrowly (0-1). A success that allows them to dream a little longer.
Because to fall asleep, the Londoners do not count the sheep, but the points which still separate them from Manchester City. Or rather the point, since Arsenal is only a small unit ahead of its runner-up, English champion (86 points against 85), before its last Premier League meeting. While Pep Guardiola’s Citizens still have two deadlines.
The calculations are fast. The team that stumbles in the home stretch will see the trophy slip away. And if everyone wins all their matches, it’s the Gunners who will lose. The only goal of today’s match, scored by Leandro Trossard at Old Trafford, is therefore worth its weight in gold. The former Brighton player opened the scoring in the first half, against a United team currently in great difficulty, but which still caused some problems for Arsenal.
Last few days with huge stakes
On several occasions, the Red Devils showed themselves to be dangerous, particularly in the second half, which probably caused a cold sweat among the opposing supporters, as the slightest goal would have transformed not only this match, but above all the Gunners’ season. Ultimately, it was the latter who proved the most threatening at the very end of the game, forcing André Onana into three classy saves in the last quarter of an hour to keep the score at 1-0.
The work is done for today, then. Job done, as the English say. All that remains is to achieve victory against Everton at home on May 19 and Mikel Arteta’s men will be able to leave their destiny in the hands of Manchester City. Because by then, the Mancuniens will have played the first of their last two matches against Tottenham. In the event of a defeat or draw for City, a victory against Everton would be enough for Arsenal to be crowned champions.
Among the Gunners, it has been 20 years since the cupboard last hosted a trophy confirming success in the Premier League. An expected deliverance after very meager decades in 2010 and 2020 compared to the institution that the club represents in the country.
Note that Tottenham, Arsenal’s historic rival in London, therefore has the keys in hand to facilitate the coronation of its best enemy. Spurs will be unconsciously (or consciously?) playing with the possibility of handing a title shot to the neighboring and reviled club if they manage to topple Manchester City. What weight in the legs? Be sure every player in the Gunners squad will be watching the match to make sure this isn’t the case.