How many late game heroics are needed before a season in the Premier League can be proclaimed as special?
And do teams enjoying truly special seasons ever finish anywhere other than the top of the Table?
While you ponder those questions, let’s look back on the last handful of Arsenal matches.
Saturday, March 4th Reiss Nelson scores in the 97th minute and the Gunners prevail 3-2 over Bournemouth after trailing 2-0 in the 61st minute.
Saturday, February 25th Gabriel Martinelli scores early in the second half and Arsenal takes out Leicester City
Saturday, February 18th Emiliano Martinez is credited with a goal in the 93rd minute as Arsenal comes back twice in a 4-2 win over Aston Villa.
Sunday, January 22nd Eddie Nketiah buries a shot in the 90th minute and the Gunners once again come from behind and take out Manchester United 3-2.
…and those are just the late game rallies of the past couple of months. Again, second place teams don’t stockpile this many emotional magical victories.
The Rise of Arsenal under Arteta
“Its been a gradual process that started off culture-wise,” proclaimed Jessica Black on today’s edition of the NBC Sports Soccer Pub.
The host of the She Knows Arsenal podcast explained the development of that culture.
“Arteta‘s always talked ablut the non-negotiables and what it takes to be an Arsenal player…you’re seeing the fruits of the labor now where at the beginning it was kind of hard to see…Arteta is the type of man people want to follow.”
“Its been a strange and winding road for Arteta,” said Jay Croucher. “One thing we kind of forget as the season goes on because winning just normalizes like Arsenal was 40:1 to win the title before the year…outside of Leicester…just about the most unlikely champion if they pull it off in the last 20 years.”
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This weekend, Fulham and Arsenal meet in the London Derby.
Black is cautiously optimistic. “…lets not count our chickens before they hatch but Arsenal should win this game. We have a really good away record. We are probably one of the best away teams in the league and so we should get it done.”
Premier League – Matchweek 27 Best Bets
Jay Croucher and Brad Thomas concluded the episode with their best bets for the Matchweek 27.
Thomas is going back to the well looking to cash an UNDER ticket again this weekend.
“I’m gonna go with the same bet that I made last week an under in a Chelsea match, Leicester v. Chelsea – UNDER 2.5 goals. Seven straight times they’ve gone under the total.”
“My best bet is the Brentford moneyline (+175) to win at Everton,” stated Croucher. “I don’t really understand why Everton are favored in this one.”
The NBC Sports Soccer Pub publishes a new episode every Thursday. Next week, Liverpool will be the focus. Neil Atkinson of TheAnfieldWrap.com will be the guest.