What do you make of today’s debate and which side of the fence are you on?
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MATT JONES, REPORTER, SAYS YES
In a Premier League season that has been anything but predictable, the one thing you can rely on is that Arsenal do not possess the mental fortitude to win the title.
Leicester City bouncing back from the brink of relegation less than 12 months ago to prove the sceptics wrong week after week, and hold a five-point lead.
Tottenham, who have consistently flattered to deceive in the Premier League era, yet have discovered a new-found substance to combine with their undoubted style under Mauricio Pochettino, and seem to finally be emerging from the shadow of their neighbours.
The above examples epitomise mental strength.
Since grasping a last-minute victory against the 10-man Foxes at the Emirates nearly a month ago, in a game described as pivotal in the title race, Arsenal haven’t won, losing three of their five matches in all competitions. Leicester have two wins and are unbeaten. Bloodied but unbowed.
You have to give Arsene Wenger’s side credit for the way they battled back against Spurs, initially surviving when reduced to 10 men, before Alexis Sanchez’s equaliser. Though they must be commended, Francis Coquelin’s red card typifies their Achilles heel. Wenger revealed he warned the Frenchman about not losing his head in the second half. Was he listening?
Just as alarming was the speed with which the Gunners imploded. It was a full five minutes before their defence cracked and within 120 seconds of Toby Alderweireld’s equaliser, they were 2-0 down. Plenty of Arsenal teams in the past may have waved the white flag and been destroyed, but don’t let their hard-earned point fool you.
Having consistently proven over the last 12 years since they last wore the Premier League crown they lack the mental capabilities to cope with pressure, how big a psychological blow this will deal to their faltering charge will be played out in the coming weeks.
JAMES PIERCY, DEPUTY EDITOR, SAYS NO
Arsenal did something on Saturday they never seem to do under Arsene Wenger: get a result when playing poorly.
Down to 10 men and with Spurs pouring forward, at 2-1 down it looked like the symbolic end, not just of their participation in the title race but Wenger’s tenure at the club as well. But, against conventional wisdom, they mustered an equaliser out of nowhere and were the better side in the final 10 minutes.
To reinforce just how impressive this was, it was achieved without Petr Cech and Laurent Koscielny: two of the most experienced players in the squad and their biggest defensive lynchpins.
Much of what we were told about Arsenal in the build-up proved to be untrue, or at least exaggerated. So, with that partially discounted for now, we have
to consider if their squad, in terms of ability, is good enough to catch Leicester.
On the injury front, Cech’s absence may still prove a hammer blow but David Ospina is no Rami Shaaban.
His presence raises doubt but is not enough alone to rule Arsenal out. Santi Cazorla’s injury troubles have been a little overlooked as the Spaniard was, up to November, among Arsenal’s top two or three performers this season. But Wenger has plenty of reinforcements in that area. Ignore Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tomas Rosicky – their impact this term has been minimal to non-existent.
Saturday’s result may also be prove to be crucial as Alexis Sanchez broke his goalscoring drought. The Chilean is a streaky scorer – seven of his 11 goals this term came in a five-game burst – so expect more to follow. Aaron Ramsey, Hector Bellerin and Mohamed Elneny also all delivered encouraging displays, while Mesut Ozil’s capabilities are well known.
Away trips to West Ham and Manchester City represent their only really testing matches remaining with seven of their last nine games against teams in the bottom half. It’s far too soon to disregard them just yet.