Before the season began, our main target was a simple one. Top 4.
Most of us would not have dreamed the start we have had – 14 games in, top of the league and guaranteed to be top at Christmas.
What is now key is that brilliant start does not artificially inflate our expectations. We do not move the goal posts on what would have been deemed a successful season prior to the campaign kicking off.
We are in the title race, but I do not expect us to win it. Manchester City are still the clear favourites.
My concern is that people will begin dreaming of that title, expecting us to win the league. And then if we fall away to 2nd or even 3rd, they will deem 2022/23 a failure and heap pressure on Mikel Arteta.
What Arteta, the players, coaching staff, and other senior management have done over the last 12 months has been exceptional.
We have got rid of those problematic players and are building a young, hungry team that is capable of challenging. But we were not expected to challenge this season.
This side is at the beginning of a cycle (whereas the Liverpool side is coming to the end). This is year one of the next 5 years.
If we keep the current crop together, they continue to work hard and improve, and we invest further in the squad, we will continue to challenge for – and win – trophies.
It is just important that we as fans temper our expectations so that we do not become overly criticial of our side currently overachieving.
14 games in and you would have to say top 4 is all but secured. Our main target of the season, remember.
We are already 8 points ahead of Tottenham – with a game in hand.
Frustrating that gap could have been even wider had Bournemouth and Leeds United not bottled it! We could have been 14 clear of that lot.
We are 11 clear of Man U, who also got a luck win last weekend with a last gasp winner against Fulham.
It is not impossible that they will not catch us, but you would be very surprised if they would close that gap enough considering the form they have been in.
Liverpool and Chelsea are 15 and 16 points behind us respectively.
In simple terms, for them to catch us, they we would need to win 5 more games than Arsenal in the last 24 games. They have both only won 6 games in the first 14.
It is too early to celebrate top 4, and Newcastle’s good start to the season has made the race even more competitive.
We just need to keep concentrating on ourselves. One game at a time. Beat the team in front of us.
Keep doing that and 4th will then be guaranteed. And come the last 10 games, if we are still in the title race, I might start believing.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
Was at the last Europa League game and got talking to a few other fans on the tube to arsenal and the belief is top 4 is the main achievable aim but we can dream
LikeLike
the big risk is that we are yet to hit a bad patch, surely inevitable , esp with our lightweight squad. Whereas Chavs Pool Tots Utd all capable of putting together a good run. So closing the gap imo is very likely. Then its about dealing with the pressure and squad size
LikeLike
Well said Keenos, one game at a time just like golf one hole at a time don’t look further ahead. Come on The Arsenal.
LikeLike
Nope! This is the second year of the “process’s and sure, the outcome has been amazing considering that it is fruiting ahead of schedule.
I agree that this success shouldn’t tempt us to heap pressure on the young manager and his young team.
Unlike you though, am dreaming of the unlikely. 😆
LikeLike
Arsenal will take the trophy this season
LikeLike
Agreed, nice post. Also, with the WC impacting the season, and adding a higher workload, it remains to seen how that will affect the top four and the title race. A mid, winger, (and striker in Jan) would help us better match top clubs depth-wise and mitigate that, but Haaland rested scares me as well!
LikeLike
One thing this team has shown this season is the ability to pick themselves up after a loss or a draw. The mentality is elite. We just need to maintain the momentum.
LikeLike
Vamos
LikeLike
This article Is bang on. We stick to the plan of finishing in top 4. Anything else is a bonus, this teams progression is ahead of schedule a year to 18months but we must remain calm and realistic. And not get ahead of ourselves still a long way to go till end of season, and we have history of bottling it, Man City do not.
LikeLike
A very nice and expert moves. Lets do this guys
LikeLike
I know it will be the bonus for arsenal to win the trophy this season iwill be happy as arsenal fans
LikeLike