LONDON — Arsenal must banish their untimely bout of title race anxiety as the wobbling Premier League leaders head to Tottenham for the north London derby.
Manchester City can pile pressure on the Gunners with a win against Newcastle, while Michael Carrick heads to Everton aiming to bolster his bid to become Manchester United’s permanent manager.
Defiant Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka is adamant his side will eventually “get over the line” and end their trophy drought.
Mikel Arteta’s men are in danger of blowing a commanding position in the title race after successive draws against Brentford and Wolves left them with just two wins in their last seven league matches.
The Gunners squandered the lead in both matches, with Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at bottom of the table Wolves especially galling as they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser having led 2-0.
Arsenal are five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s team have a game in hand and will host the leaders in April.
After allowing City to overhaul them in the 2023 and 2024 title races, the north Londoners, who haven’t won silverware since the 2020 FA Cup, face pointed questions about their ability to handle the mounting tension.
Saka knows Arsenal must silence the doubters by getting back on track at arch rivals Tottenham on Sunday.
“I believe the next few years are going to be the years that we get over the line, and we’re able to win trophies and make history for this club,” Saka said.
“We’re back where we belong, fighting for everything.”