Arsenal's derby grit bodes well for draining title race
The Independent|April 30, 2024
It was a joke that Mikel Arteta probably wouldn’t have made had this game gone a different way.
MIGUEL DELANEY
Arsenal's derby grit bodes well for draining title race

The Arsenal manager was asked about his extreme faith in his players, as Tottenham threw cross after cross into the box in pursuit of an unlikely draw. “Definitely… in the last few minutes I was doubting a bit!”

Arteta wouldn’t have been human if that wasn’t the case. Everyone knew that Arsenal’s title challenge came down to those last few minutes. They got through it, as Arteta made sure to point out that his squad “give me no reason” to doubt.

Many might of course point to how last season ended, and the manager himself pointed to the difference in perception from how these games have gone to everything that happened in last season’s run-in.

“When you win, it’s always the case. Last season, we didn’t, because we went to West Ham and we missed a penalty… at the end, the judgement is going to be based on that outcome. If Spurs got the goal in the last minute to make it 3-3, then we wouldn’t have been ready. The margins are so small.”

And yet there is a significant gap between this season and last; a gap that is a clear indicator of growth and maturity. Arsenal have secured more points in the last three games (nine) than they did in all of last April.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 30, 2024 من The Independent.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 30, 2024 من The Independent.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE INDEPENDENT مشاهدة الكل
McLaren leads the pack as Red Bull are being reeled in
The Independent

McLaren leads the pack as Red Bull are being reeled in

A lap or two more. That's all Lando Norris needed, he insisted, to overhaul Max Verstappen at the end of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday and stand on the top step of the podium for the second race running.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 21, 2024
Fighting talk: what Usyk's win over Fury means for heavyweight Joshua bout
The Independent

Fighting talk: what Usyk's win over Fury means for heavyweight Joshua bout

Saudis banking on a blockbuster fight but it's not that simple

time-read
3 mins  |
May 21, 2024
Hayes leaves on high having transformed women's game
The Independent

Hayes leaves on high having transformed women's game

A fairytale fifth Women's Super League title in a row leaves the departing Chelsea boss with not 'another drop to give'

time-read
3 mins  |
May 21, 2024
Slot confirmed as Reds boss
The Independent

Slot confirmed as Reds boss

Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Arne Slot as their new head coach, with the Dutchman signing a three-year contract at Anfield.

time-read
1 min  |
May 21, 2024
Average house price hits.record high of £375,000
The Independent

Average house price hits.record high of £375,000

Mortgage rates cut by banks HSBC UK, Barclays and TSB

time-read
2 mins  |
May 21, 2024
ANATOMY LESSON
The Independent

ANATOMY LESSON

Demi Moore's performance in body horror 'The Substance' has won her rave reviews. It's another role that allows the star to subvert her physical form on celluloid, writes Adam White

time-read
4 mins  |
May 21, 2024
'Muddling' is the new norm for stressed parents like me
The Independent

'Muddling' is the new norm for stressed parents like me

With childcare costs spiralling, friends, family and even dog walkers are being roped in at the last minute to take care of the kids. But this is no solution, argues Charlotte Cripps

time-read
6 mins  |
May 21, 2024
Weighty subject matter
The Independent

Weighty subject matter

Though many consider it the ultimate compliment, Sarah Jessica Parker recently said she doesn't like being skinny. Stop talking about weight altogether, says Helen Coffey

time-read
4 mins  |
May 21, 2024
My split-save tickets look slightly odd - is it a scam?
The Independent

My split-save tickets look slightly odd - is it a scam?

Q I’ve just booked some train tickets from Manchester to London this weekend via what appears to be a ticket-splitting website.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 21, 2024
Why many are crying foul over Man City's dominance
The Independent

Why many are crying foul over Man City's dominance

An inquiry into alleged financial breaches and penetrating questions about football club ownership loom over a recordbreaking fourth league title in a row, writes Miguel Delaney

time-read
6 mins  |
May 21, 2024