Are Arsenal A Bad Team That Keeps Winning?

A quick search on the internet will crop up a load of *impartial* comments about the Arsenal team. Some headings include: “Why Arsenal Is The Worst Premier League Team”, “Why Are Arsenal So Bad At Football Now”, and even “10 Reasons Why We Hate Arsenal”.

Ten! Who even has time to map out ten reasons they dislike something?

The point is, however, that Arsenal is not seen in a positive light around the football world right now. And yet, if we look at the facts, Arsenal are coming third in the Premier League this season. Heck, they came second last season, flouted only by a Man City team in fine form.

So, what’s the deal? Are Arsenal just a bad team that keeps winning, or has – for the first time ever, we’re sure – the internet got it wrong?

The Thing About Arsenal

It appears that most Arsenal critics think that, for the last few years, Arsenal have simply been overachieving. And they might not be all wrong.

Take a look at the West Ham game at the tail end of the 2022/23 season, where Arsenal threw away a two goal lead after a missed penalty from Saka. That game was enough to instil doubt into the players, and soon after, they threw away the title itself in a 3-0 thrashing against Brighton.

In a way, this was the phase of the season where suspicions of over-achieving were validated – a team like Man City wouldn’t drop the ball in such a manner, and against two sides that they definitely should beat.

But anyone who still thinks that Arsenal are over-achievers today haven’t reminded themselves of basic Premier League info – this league is not easy to win. In fact, in the Premier League, it’s difficult to build any kind of momentum at all, such is the calibre of the competition.

Quality And Confidence

After winning only 3 of their last 9 games at the end of last season, many people thought that Arsenal would start their 2023/24 campaign in the same way. But they haven’t. Just 2 points off the top, Arsenal are still undefeated, even after having played Chelsea, Man United, Tottenham, and Man City.

People can’t argue that they’re overachieving, either. Arsenal have been dominating possession and controlling games, pressing high, and locking their opposition into their own half.

With Mikel Arteta’s leadership, top players are getting onto the pitch with a flair and confidence that should be commended. For anyone thinking: well, this was the same story last season. That’s true, but the reason Arsenal faltered wasn’t because of skills or leadership, but because of confidence.

It’s hard to play the way you want to play while the world is judging you so harshly. That’s like sitting at the top of the table and having someone whispering “you’re gonna bottle it” over and over in your ear. It gets to you. But this side has grown, and the way they’re playing right now, it doesn’t look like they’ll trip up in the same manner again.

It can be argued that great teams of the EPL wouldn’t bow under the pressure, and this might be true. But that’s because great teams learn not to. While it’s yet to be proven, it looks like Arsenal have learned, and they’re now ready to teach everyone else a lesson.