Arsenal are still in the picture for the Premier League title with just four games remaining this season, but they will need to be perfect.
Mikel Arteta’s side were in the lead for most of last season before collapsing in the final few weeks of the campaign, and a recent loss to Aston Villa meant that Manchester City regained the points advantage in the title race.
However, if Arsenal win their final four games, and Man City drop points in just one of their final six, then Arsenal will have the advantage again because of their superior goal difference.
When Arsenal collapsed last year, they were perhaps not as well prepared for the run-in as they are now, and Gabby Agbonlahor has highlighted one player who has made a huge difference since.
Gabby Agbonlahor praises William Saliba impact on Arsenal title challenge
A turning point for Arsenal last season was losing defender William Saliba to injury ahead of the run-in, and as one of their most important players, he was sorely missed and irreplaceable in the back line.
Speaking on TalkSPORT (26/04, 9.08AM), the former Aston Villa striker named Saliba in his top 10 players in the Premier League this season.
“Number 8, I have gone Saliba. I feel that he has been outstanding this season,” he stated.
“Arsenal missed him last season, cost them a lot in the last 10 games of the season. This season he has stayed fit the whole season, and Arsenal are closer to winning the title.”
Losing Saliba cost Arsenal the Premier League title last season
Arsenal are now blessed with an almost fully fit squad, with Jurrien Timber still yet to make a competitive return after a cruciate ligament injury on his Premier League debut.
This would have been the dream for Arteta a year ago. He lost Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu to injury in the Europa League knockout defeat to Sporting Club De Portugal, and Rob Holding was selected as Saliba’s replacement in the back line.
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This proved to be a disaster, with the Englishman unable to play in a high line like Saliba could, meaning Arsenal had to drop deeper, and became more defensively vulnerable as a result.
Draws to Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton in the run-in may not have happened with Saliba in the side, and it was clear that losing him cost Arsenal their chance at title glory. One year later, he will be hoping to help his side acheive what they could not without him.