Arsenal are showing worrying signs - Mikel Arteta must rally the troops for Man City title race

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Mikel Arteta will never have a better chance of winning the Premier League title. And if Arsenal do not win it this season, it may even beg the question whether they will ever do it under Arteta.

It will be a test of Arsenal’s nerve as much as their quality because the race looks to be as close as ever. From a position where Arsenal looked ready to streak clear, only three points now separate the top three with Manchester City and Aston Villa too close for comfort.

City, in particular, look an ominous force with Erling Haaland in prolific form, Phil Foden back to his best and a new generation of talent strengthening Pep Guardiola ’s belief they can regain the title. Villa are on a red-hot streak and suddenly Arsenal look edgy, worried and concerned with their performances.

They have finished runners-up in each of the last three seasons. Twice edged out by City in the final furlong and then overtaken by Liverpool last season when Guardiola had an off year.

Arsenal broke the bank in the summer to make sure it was their turn this time and Liverpool’s spectacular fall away has opened the door.

Few expected City to be this good after so much change and turbulence last season while Villa are the surprise package. But Arteta has done an incredible job at Arsenal by turning the club around and making them into genuine contenders both in the Premier League and Champions League .

It should not be taken lightly how difficult it is to lift a set of players after not just one, two but three near misses. Arteta must have something special to convince the likes of William Saliba to stay and commit himself for the long term when he could have the pick of any top European club.

They believe in the manager and the club share that faith because they backed him to the hilt in the summer and now that squad should be strong enough to get over the line. The problem Arteta has is a worrying injury list which is threatening to undermine the season for the second year running.

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Arsenal looked edgy against Wolves . Slow and ponderous. Under pressure. Maybe it was an off day. But the signs are worrying - and they must rediscover their mojo pretty quickly.

They have taken just two points from a possible nine in their last three away games at Sunderland , Chelsea and then Villa. They cannot afford another slip up at Everton on Saturday.

But questions should be asked about squad management. Why so many injuries? It cannot all be bad luck. Some of it must go down to players being left fatigued, over played or over-trained to leave them vulnerable to injuries and strains.

Now after a mini wobble, they have to respond well over the demanding festive period. They face Everton on Saturday, Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup next Tuesday, Brighton on December 27 and Villa again three days later.

Arsenal must deliver big performances and statement results to underline their intent for a season which can define Arteta’s reign.

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