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The Gunners have perpetually hushed the doubters this term. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
3. Prove the critics wrong
During last season’s pursuit of the top four spots, Arsenal were accused of bottling their Champions League opportunity. Many fans of Arsenal and opposition alike suspected that the breakdown came at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and St. James’ Park. While a top-five finish was by no means a failure for the Gunners, hindsight is indeed 20/20.
The real dagger to the ambitious champions league push came in a three-game skid against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton. Although Arsenal followed the disappointing results with a four-game win streak, in the end, the damage had already been done. The stakes are even higher this season and, once again, Southampton stand between Arteta and glory. Arsenal fans should not be too worried as this year the team is different with a bolstered squad and mentality. The Gunners should pass this test with flying colours.
Saka has stated that the team look at the trip to the Etihad later this month as a cup final but the Gunners must take care of business in the two fixtures leading up to the highest-stakes game Gooners have witnessed in many years. If Arsenal can take six points against the Saints and Hammers, a win at the Etihad will make all the difference.
WhoScored.com</a> Arsenal have a 6.84 offensive rating away which ranks them first in the Premier League. West Ham rank 11 in defensive rating at home with 6.65.</p>
<p>In recent years fortunes have favoured the Gunners against the East London side with the Hammers’ most recent win against Arsenal coming on the 12th of January 2019. A boatload of scoring will be needed.</p>
<p>Southampton rank 19th in overall defensive rating, but tend to step up their game on the road. The Saints rank 13th in both defensive and offensive rating away from home and will likely put up a fight against Arteta’s men at the Emirates. Arsenal also slip to fourth in offensive ranking when it comes to playing at home. Regardless of the statistics, Arsenal should dominate. The Gunners will need a massive performance from the frontline to assure that victory is realised and that pressure is put on the blue side of Manchester in the goal differential side of the game.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/16/3-reasons-why-arsenal-must-dominate-west-ham-and-southampton/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 reason Arsenal must dominate next two games </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-133624" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/16/3-reasons-why-arsenal-must-dominate-west-ham-and-southampton/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2174,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1466471978.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2174" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1466471978.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1466471978-768x522.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">The Gunners have perpetually hushed the doubters this term. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3. Prove the critics wrong</h2>
<p>During last season’s pursuit of the top four spots, Arsenal were accused of bottling their Champions League opportunity. Many fans of Arsenal and opposition alike suspected that the breakdown came at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and St. James’ Park. While a top-five finish was by no means a failure for the Gunners, hindsight is indeed 20/20.</p>
<p>The real dagger to the ambitious champions league push came in a <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/16/3-reasons-why-arsenal-must-dominate-west-ham-and-southampton/3/"https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/arsenal/2021-22/fixtures-and-results.html">three-game skid against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton.</a> Although Arsenal followed the disappointing results with a four-game win streak, in the end, the damage had already been done. The stakes are even higher this season and, once again, Southampton stand between Arteta and glory. Arsenal fans should not be too worried as this year the team is different with a bolstered squad and mentality. The Gunners should pass this test with flying colours.</p>
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<p>Saka has stated that the team look at the trip to the Etihad later this month as a cup final but the Gunners must take care of business in the two fixtures leading up to the highest-stakes game Gooners have witnessed in many years. If Arsenal can take six points against the Saints and Hammers, a win at the Etihad will make all the difference.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
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