The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

There have been many twists and turns this term, but arguably, today’s games saw Arsenal host Everton and Manchester City travel to West Ham, which has proven to be the final twist in the tale.

With seven game weeks left for Arsenal and eight left for former champions Manchester City, arguably, there are more twists in the tale. At this point it’s hard to argue in favour of Pep’s men.

On Saturday night, The Gunners, who were up against David Moyes’ Everton side, were lucky to have emerged with the three points, especially when Dwight McNeil struck an Arsenal post.

The League leaders recovered from this and got the win (2-0, thanks to late goals from Gyokeres and Dowman), but it wasn’t convincing in the slightest. At this stage of the season, it can be argued that it’s what’s needed.

Arsenal fans can relate to this better than anyone, but the last few seasons, they have been the bridesmaid and not the bride, so many times they have come close. Arteta’s team have come close, playing football in the so-called right way.

Now The Gunners have the steel, the toughness. Arsenal, for too long, have been seen as a team with no toughness and no underbelly. There have been several times when, to their credit, Arsenal have shown resilience; conversely, their challengers, Man City, have thrown away leads and at times have been soft.

City’s games against Brighton and the most recent West Ham are examples of this. Man City do face Arsenal in the League in April, and next week also face them in the League Cup final, so maybe there are some twists and turns to come.

But it’s a tough ask, even for Man City.