Is the title being 'bottled'? Arsenal is not doing anything of the kind

Arsenal's recent performance in the Premier League has been disappointing, as they squandered two two-goal leads in their last two games and dropped four points. Ahead of their match against Southampton on Friday, they are facing criticism and accusations of "bottling it" in the title race.

It's unclear whether Mikel Arteta's team has lost their chance at winning the league or if they will bounce back from this setback and claim their first title since 2004. The next few games will be crucial for Arsenal, as they have seven remaining in the season. If they manage to win them all, they could secure the Premier League trophy for the first time in years.

However, if they slip up again, especially in their upcoming match against Manchester City, Pep Guardiola's side will be in a favorable position to retain their title for the third consecutive season. Only time will tell if Arsenal can turn things around and claim the title.

'It’s playing tricks in their head'

What has been happening at Arsenal in the past two games? Are they choking under pressure? Has the shadow of Manchester City loomed so large that it cannot be ignored? Roy Keane seems to believe so.

After Arsenal's 2-2 draw with West Ham on Sunday, the Manchester United legend remarked, "It's obviously affecting them mentally and they're missing that certain something. The term we always use for Man City, and what Arsenal lacks, is composure.

'It’s playing tricks in their head'

"Especially in situations where they're ahead, which can happen. If they keep their cool and show some composure, they can still come out on top - they're in a great position.

"But again, the question remains: if they were to finish second, it would be a huge disappointment for Arsenal."

Carragher gets it right

Everyone will have their own perspective on what happened to Arsenal at Anfield and the London Stadium. However, the idea that Arteta's team is "bottling it" is ridiculous. Jamie Carragher gave an excellent analysis of Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, rightly highlighting how impressively Arsenal began the matches at Liverpool and West Ham. If a team was struggling under pressure, they wouldn't have been able to start the games as confidently as they did.

Jamie Carragher rightly how impressively Arsenal began the matches at Liverpool and West Ham

Arsenal displayed no signs of nervousness when they dominated Liverpool and silenced Anfield in the thrilling opening half-hour. Similarly, they didn't seem to be affected by the thought of Manchester City when they dismantled West Ham with ease in the early stages of Sunday's match. Arsenal played with the same freedom they have all season, but the difference was that they took their eyes off the ball. They became complacent instead of pushing for the kill. In all honesty, that's just as bad as bottling it or losing your nerve, whichever way you look at it.

Partey's moment of madness

Thomas Partey's attempt to lift the ball over Declan Rice from deep inside his own half was a foolish move that perfectly summarized Arsenal's lazy play. This unnecessary action resulted in Arsenal being punished for their lackadaisical approach.

Thomas Partey's attempt to lift the ball over Declan Rice from deep inside his own half was a foolish move

During the game, Jamie Carragher commented on Partey's mistake, stating that all he needed to do was use his strength to shield the ball from Rice. Carragher believed that if the game were still tied at 0-0, Partey would have used his power to his advantage. However, the game had become too easy, leading Partey to attempt an unnecessary trick that should not have been tried even in training.

Arteta's frustration was apparent after the draw with West Ham as he understood the potential consequences of those lost two points.

All focus on Southampton

The main priority for Arsenal's manager at present is to block out all the commotion surrounding his team and concentrate on their upcoming match against Southampton on Friday. He has previously demonstrated faith in his players and understands that they have not faltered this season.

The team has successfully navigated through most of their challenges and when they have stumbled, they have bounced back impressively. This is what needs to happen once again as they face the struggling Saints. It is crucial that they secure three points against the lowest-ranked team in the Premier League before their trip to the Etihad next Wednesday.

The main priority for Arsenal is to concentrate on their upcoming match against Southampton

It is astonishing that Arsenal, who were not even considered a contender for the title this season, are now leading Manchester City with only seven games remaining. They are on track to earn more than 90 points this season, which would have been enough to win the title in the past. However, the challenge they face now is competing against a formidable opponent like City, who demand almost perfection to become champions.

Zinchenko injury boost

Arsenal will receive a significant boost as Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to return from his groin injury and face Southampton. Although Kieran Tierney is a competent left-back, Zinchenko's absence highlights how much Arsenal relies on him. Tierney is not well-suited to play the inverted full-back role that Zinchenko excels in, and Arsenal loses a considerable amount of control in midfield without the four-time Premier League winner.

Arsenal will receive a significant boost as Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to return from his groin injury

This issue was apparent in their match against West Ham and was further exacerbated by William Saliba's absence. Zinchenko and Saliba's ability to progress the ball forward and break lines with their passing is critical to how Arteta's side builds from the back and dominates possession. Without either player available against West Ham, Arsenal struggled to move the ball quickly after their quick start was stopped, which allowed the hosts to get back into the game.

No more safety net

Arsenal's recent results have diminished their safety net, leaving them with little margin for error. The only hope for the Gunners is for Manchester City's hectic fixture schedule to hinder their unstoppable momentum. However, this does not warrant a panic button just yet, as Arsenal is still in an excellent position to create history.

Arsenal's recent results have diminished their safety net

Despite the external skepticism towards the club's success, Arsenal has shown resilience by bouncing back with seven consecutive wins after a loss to City in February, preceded by a draw with Brentford and a defeat by Everton. This is the same mindset that Arteta and his team will instill in the players ahead of Friday's match against Southampton.

Although Arsenal is no longer leading as they were two weeks ago, they are still at the top, overlooking the competition. There is no evidence of a collapse, and the team remains confident in its ability to succeed.