Losing out on the Premier League in crunch time leaves a sour taste in the mouth of Arsenal Faithfuls. This year marks the 20th anniversary of their last Premier League title under Arsene Wenger. And with another opportunity lurking, Liverpool and Manchester City remain roadblocks in the Gunners title race chase.

Arteta is within touching distance of a trophy success at Arsenal, but what has changed in the team since last season’s near-success expedition and what do the Gunners have in their Arsenal?

MATURITY/EXPERIENCE

The Gunners have looked a lot more fierce in all aspects of their game and one thing stands out – they have illustrated more maturity and garnered experience. A view that Jorginho also shares. When quizzed about the Gunners’ maturity, the 32-year-old revealed that he feels like the team is getting more mature.

“I think so. It has been a few games to be honest that I feel like our team is getting more mature,” Jorginho said. “Not just with scoring goals but the way we play, understanding the game, when to play short, when to go long, these kind of situations. The team is getting really mature… I mean, we believe we can play against any team. We can beat any team, that’s the reality. But then to win the league, you can’t lose points against the other teams. So I think we need this maturity to try and not lose those points in other games.”

Finishing second in the Premier League is no mean feat and for a young team like that of Arteta’s, getting that far and missing out by the whiskers gives them experience and a sense of maturity.

QUALITY / DEPTH

The depth of players in a team is particularly important when heading into the run-in of the campaign. A large pool of players to rely on can be a manager’s headache or a big blessing. For Arsenal, it serves as the latter.

Rewind to last term, Arsenal’s title hopes were dented with injuries to William Saliba and Thomas Partey. This season, although the respective returns of Saliba, Partey and Jurrien Timber are timely for Mikel Arteta, Arsenal are blessed with abundant cover in key positions.

On the attack, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard have been reliable. Purpose, connection and clarity are three words that can easily be used to describe Arsenal’s attack. Arsenal’s chance-creation from set pieces has been another successful aspect of their attacking game. The speed of Arsenal’s passing combinations, the quick decision-making and the well-timed rotations are more aspects that showcase the quality of the side.

Kai Havertz has been playing as the centre forward in recent weeks, a position Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah have all featured in this season. The trio have also played from the flanks – a position which also has Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson.

In the Midfield department, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Jorginho and Declan Rice in midfield have proven to be very effective, making Arsenal a more imposing team with the right amount of press. Martin Ødegaard rarely sits out with injuries but Fabio Viera and Emile Smith-Rowe can step up to the XI when needed. The midfield is also blessed with Thomas Partey and Mohammed El Neny.

In defence, The centre-back pairing of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba is another aspect of Arsenal’s game that screams quality. Ben White has been ever reliable. Jakub Kiwior has stepped up when called upon. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also tested and trusted. Meanwhile, Timber can play in any position across the defence.

In the goalkeeping department, David Raya has proved doubters wrong with his performances in goal which has raised questions if a goalkeeper of quality like Aaron Ramsdale would want to remain as backup at the Emirates.

A DOGGED DEFENCE

Arsenal’s defensive solidity indicates that they are unlikely to slip up as they did last season. Having Saliba back in the fold for the run-in has been a huge boost to Arsenal’s title hopes. The pairing with Gabriel has proved too resolute for opposition and has withstood countless attacks including that of fellow title chasers, Manchester City.

Arteta’s men had their fifth consecutive away clean sheet in the Premier League in a 3-0 matchday 31 win against Brighton. And the entire back line has played an immense role in it, including Spanish goalkeeper, David Raya. While Raya has the advantage of one of the best defences in Europe guarding the 18-yard box, it does not take away from the fact that he has been concrete when called upon.

•The David Raya Effect: It is often said that a goalkeeper is only as good as his defence. Having a solid defence and a solid goalkeeper is more than a plus and that is what the Gunners have. David Raya offers good ball distribution, and pass accuracy, is confident between the sticks, is rarely susceptible to mistakes, is a good shot-stopper and communicates with his defence – attributes any manager would want in a goalkeeper.

GUNNERS’ GRIT

The latter stages of Arsene Wenger’s reign were marred with inconsistencies. The acquisition of Unai Emery, Villa’s current manager, looked to tweak the team back into what fans had enjoyed in the early 2000s, but just as quickly as it started, it fizzled out. The Spanish gaffer was sent packing, putting Fredrik Ljungberg in charge; that, too, didn’t last.

Touted to be the next City boss, Mikel Arteta was called upon by Arsenal in 2019, and it did not take long until his idea began to manifest successfully. Although it was Josep Guardiola people pointed at when Arteta’s team began to play very well, the Spaniard has proven that he has quality of his own.

The combination of sporting director, Edu’s leadership and Mikel Arteta’s brilliance on the touchline and in the recruitment process, has also played a major role in the Gunners’ development.

Arsenal have played a different football since 2022 and missed out on the Premier League by the coattail against Manchester City, but this year they have done better than last year.

The Gunners have beaten City, Manchester United and Liverpool and are on course to win their first title since the Invincibles 20 years ago. Their resilience might be the factor that sees them through the daunting task and gets them over the line.

BELIEF

Mindset is everything in any competitive setting, it fuels actions. Belief is as important as Coaching because the first lesson athletes are taught at the beginning of every sport is to believe in themselves and to have the perfect mindset.

Confronting a task as big as fighting for the Premier League title requires major belief in one’s abilities and the Arsenal camp has that.