It’s been quite the season for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has completely changed the club for the better and if they carry on playing the way they have, they’ll be rewarded with the Premier League title which has eluded them for two decades.
One thing that hasn’t changed though, is the way these players test the health of our hearts. I know that my heart’s been in my mouth at times this season and I’m no doctor, but I’m fairly certain that isn’t healthy.
Let’s relive some of those wonderful moments from this season so far, but this time with our minds, not our hearts.
1. Arsenal defender Gabriel completes the comeback against Fulham
This one feels like a lifetime ago, now. If you cast your minds back to the start of the season (gameweek 4, to be exact), you’ll remember Gabriel went from zero to hero within the same half.
He was wrestled off the ball by the mounting presence that is Mitrovic, who opened the scoring for Fulham in the London derby at the Emirates Stadium. Thankfully, though, this deficit didn’t last long as captain Martin Odegaard brought the scoring level less than 10 minutes later, with just under half an hour left to play.
Then, in the final 5 minutes of the game after some mounting pressure from the Gunners, Gabriel who had made the mistake previously put his physicality to good use this time, by scoring from a corner. In fact, it was defensive partner William Saliba who presented him with the chance from close range, a redemption goal Gabriel would snatch with both hands.
VAR couldn’t stop that one, and the goal meant the Gunners continued their 100% record at the start of this season.
2. When Saka was ice cold from the spot to beat Liverpool
If there’s anyone that’s personified just how great this season’s been for Arsenal, it’s Bukayo Saka. Or, as he’s more commonly known, little chilli. OR, as he’s MORE commonly known, starboy. You get the drill, he’s a real fan favourite.
He’s a real depiction of what a true sportsman is. In the face of his biggest career adversity to date, i.e. missing the penalty for England in the Euros final, he used this to his advantage by developing this area of his game. Now, he’s chief penalty taker at Arsenal, or at least for the time being unless Jorginho takes that role.
And, I mean, he’s getting very good at them. None would have personified his career and mindset growth more than scoring against Liverpool, though.
To complete the appreciated brace in round 10 of the Premier League season, Saka came up against one of the best keepers in the world Allison, from the penalty spot. The pressure was on as it was in the 76th minute, to put the Gunners ahead (the scoreline was 2-2 at the time).
Having just beaten Spurs in the league just the game before, this pinpointed the moment where fans truly started to believe something magical could happen this season.
3. When Gabriel and Ramsdale got the better of Leeds
This one tends to get lost in this season’s archive but I remember it very well. Too well, for the health of my heart.
Who remembers when Arsenal beat Leeds 1-0 at Elland Road? You know, the time when Patrick Bamford could’ve easily scored a hat-trick, Gabriel could’ve got a red card had it not been for the wonderful invention of VAR, and when Arsenal had to hold their nerve for the WHOLE match after scoring the only goal of the game in the first half?
Yeah, that one.
This game really had it all. As far as 1-0 scorelines go, and the Gunners have had their fair share, this is one of the classics. I’m going to link the highlights below for your viewing pleasure.
The importance of those three points, especially when you consider we could’ve lost them all, should not be overlooked. Call it luck, call it resilience, call it whatever – had Bamford scored even a couple of his many chances in this match, the gap at the top would be just two points, not five.
Arguably, this was Arsenal’s worst performance of the season, but they still got the win away from home. Dare I say it? That’s what champions do.
4. Your defence is in trouble…
While the title race might seem like a two-horse race at the moment, it wasn’t always the case. Indeed, rivals Manchester United were once in it. That was until they lost 7-0 to Liverpool – I know you’re smirking right now.
For a large part of the season, United had bragging rights of being the only team to beat Arsenal. While this has since changed, it was the case heading into the fixture at the Emirates Stadium.
It looked likely history would repeat itself when Marcus Rashford scored an impressive goal from distance early in the game. Thankfully, Nketiah brought the game level with a header before Saka scored a better goal than Rashford and Martinez equalised in quick succession.
The game was then begging for one side to grab the winner for half an hour. In all honesty, it looked certain the game wouldn’t end a draw, but it would’ve been harsh on the team who concedes.
Thanks to an unorthodox but well improvised finish in the 90th minute, Eddie Nketiah secured his brace and secured all three points for Arsenal.
That goal received the largest roar the Emirates Stadium had seen throughout the season so far. It was a great moment for the man who received plenty of doubters when filling in for the injured Gabriel Jesus. If the Gunners do go on to win the league, Nketiah’s involvement will prove to be astronomically large.
5. THAT shambles from Emiliano Martinez
Of all the players you could choose to have a say on Arsenal potentially winning the title, chances are, you wouldn’t predict ex GOALKEEPER, Emiliano Martinez.
I mean, I’m certain it would be the last of his concerns given he’s a recent World Cup winner, but he’s incredibly salty about Arsenal so it would kill him to see the club gain any success. Hence his antics in the recent match against Aston Villa where he tried, but failed, to wind up Arsenal.
Even if you look past his blatant time wasting (more on that below), he was trying to get into the Gunners’ head by playing off his line. This is something which caught him off guard when new signing Jorginho of all people fired a shot from outside of the box, rebounding off the crossbar and causing Emi Martinez to score a bullet header own goal.
In fairness to him, though, he did try to make amends for his error by going forward for a corner. He does love a glory story so it would’ve been the most Martinez thing to do if he scored a late equaliser.
But instead, he was handed another L as the corner routine was defended with ease, leaving Martinelli to run the length of the pitch, picked out by Vieira, to score an open goal. He celebrated before he even scored, thanks to the easy assist by Martinez- I mean Vieira.
Obviously, Martinez embarrassing himself made for great viewing from Arsenal fans.
6. Reiss Nelson deserves a statue
I don’t think I’ve fully recovered from Reiss Nelson’s last-minute strike against Bournemouth recently and I don’t think I ever will. This one deserves no introduction – Nelson introduced himself well enough when he was brought on as a sub.
Going 2-0 down to relegation-battling Bournemouth wasn’t a good look for Arsenal in their title hopes and they needed to AT LEAST get a point, but even that would’ve been some achievement.
Thankfully, the Gunners spirit was down, but not out. In fact, it was far from out as they pushed back hard to score 2 quick-fire goals to bring the tie level just more than 10 minutes after Bournemouth doubled their lead.
Reiss Nelson came on in the 69th minute after Thomas Partey had scored to make it 2-1 and within a minute of his arrival onto the pitch, Nelson played a great cross to White who scored to make it 2-2. Suddenly, with Nelson on the pitch, it was a very different game for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.
Following a corner in what was certain to be the last kick of the game, the ball fell to Nelson who controlled it well and produced the greatest finish of the game, and potentially the goal of his life.
The crowd erupted and grown adults were crying. I mean, we were all crying, right?
Another Hale End graduate came up with the big, big moment and that’s a lovely depiction of Arsenal’s season so far. It’s the young players who are stepping up to make all the difference, putting the future in safe hands.
What’s been your favourite moment as an Arsenal fan this season?