Arsenal continue to break ‘taboos’ in battle to regain Premier League title 19 years later. The victory in the derby against Fulham (0-3), with a hat-trick on an assist from Leandro Trossard, allows him to win five points ahead of Manchester City the lack of 11 days.
An income that has been cemented, to a large extent, on his outstanding performance in the ‘London League’. Only in 1994-95 there were many London teams (7) in the history of the Premier League. Arsenal, however, dominated the derbies with “iron fist” this season.
Although they still have three left to play (Chelsea, Crystal Palace and West Ham), Mikel Arteta’s students mathematically proclaimed themselves “kings of the city”. They recover this (honorary) award nine years later. They hadn’t achieved that since 2013-14.
And it is that no one can match/exceed the 25 points the Gunners have made in the nine derbies they have played. Tottenham (18), Chelsea (13), Brentford (11), Fulham (10), Palace (5) and West Ham (5) are too far away… or don’t have many derbies to play.
Arsenal’s record in the ‘London League’ is almost immaculate: eight wins, one draw, 20 goals for and only four against. Another triumph – this weekend they host Crystal Palace – and they will make history: no one has won nine derbies in the same Premier League season. Nothing to do with last year, when in the challenges with rivals ‘City’ he only got 16 points out of 30.
The victory over Fulham (3-0) has already been accompanied by several anniversaries. First of all, for Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard, who returned to the Emirates in 2019, achieved his 100th victory as Gunner manager.
But the thing does not end there. Arsenal became the first team to win five consecutive London derbies away without conceding a goal: 0-3 at Fulham, 0-2 at Tottenham, 0-1 at Chelsea, 0-3 at Brentford and 0-2 at Crystal Palace.
He also broke another ‘curse that especially tormented Arteta. Arsenal won both games against arch-rivals Tottenham in north London for the first time since 2013-14: 3-1 to 0-2. And it is that, since 2014, they have not won at the home of the “Spurs”. “There must be something, sure. I have watched several derbies, trying to understand why this happens. It’s difficult to draw conclusions, but the atmosphere is important” the Spaniard admitted before winning at the Tottenham stadium.
The ‘City’ is yours. Check out the ‘London Football Awards’ delivered this week. Arsenal capitalized on the awards with four winners: Martin Odegaardwas named “Player of the Year”,Bukayo Sakahe was awarded the title of “Best Young Player” for the second timeMikel Artetawas crowned “Best Coach”and Aaron Ramsdale won the “Best Goalkeeper” trophy.
The ‘London League’ is already his. Now they want the Premier…
