Arsenal must overcome 15 more cup finals between now and the end of May if they are to lift their first Premier League title since 2004.
The past few weeks have been a ponderous few in contrast to the opening months of the 2022/23 season and have provided plenty of questions regarding the mentality at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners won 16 of their first 20 games of the season to place themselves in their first title race since 2016.
However, prior to yesterday’s win over Aston Villa, they went four games without a win and found themselves off the top of the table for the first time since August. Now, they are back as league leaders and optimism for a historic end of season is well and truly back.
READ MORE: Alan Shearer tips Arsenal to beat Man City to Premier League title but only on one condition
19 years have passed since league success was brought to north London, with numerous lacklustre seasons draining the atmosphere amongst the Emirates Stadium for some time. But in 2019, Mikel Arteta's appointment to replace Unai Emery has sparked a wild change that took time to settle.
As it's well documented, the former Gunners midfielder struggled, initially, to adopt his ideas onto a depleting squad and found his job security under severe threat - despite the games being played behind-closed-doors.
Last season's fifth-placed finish showed potential of what Arteta can do as a head coach, but this term, the talent ID in his recruitment alongside Edu Gasper and man management to inject quality youth within an experienced crop of players have seen the Gunners reap in the rewards.
Not many across the footballing world can say that they saw Arsenal's remarkable turnaround as Manchester City's arch rivals for the league title coming. But the majority of the credit falls to Arteta for the minor tweaks throughout the season that have worked wonders.
The Gunners' tactical alterations have been a key clog in their rise to the top: the implementation of the inverted full-backs, the midfield trio playing various roles and the false 9 striker role played so well earlier in the season by Gabriel Jesus.
But it's the in-game switches of play and mindset that have reignited their title change after the run of disappointment in the last few weeks. A poor performance on Merseyside resulted in only a second league defeat of the season to Everton was followed by straight home games without victory against Brentford and Man City.
Human-error led to Brentford snatching an equaliser, with Arteta feeling harsh done by. But the City defeat and performance certainly would have rang the alarm bells internally and externally.
Ollie Watkins' fifth minute opener looked as though it would continue Arsenal's troubling time but Arteta demonstrated calmness and composure on the touchline that ultimately deflected onto his players.
His side replied, not once, but twice as Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko netted equalisers either side of half-time. But it wasn't until injury time ticked over at Villa Park that we saw in the flesh the work Arteta has done with his tight-fisted squad.
Arsenal were on top for much of the remainder of the clash and minus Aaron Ramsdale's fingertip save to deny Leon Bailey, they pursued a winner as champions do. Jorginho, whose arrival was widely criticised by Arsenal supporters, dictated play from deep and paid Arteta back for his trust in him, but his playmaker attributes is not what he'll be remembered for by the Gunners faithful in this one.
A first-timed strike against the crossbar and against Emiliano Martinez in the third minute of injury time was an enormous sigh of relief in a much-needed win. Gabriel Martinelli's goal made sure of the three points and the reaction by Arteta and his coaching staff showcased the importance of the victory after recent performances.
Arteta is well-aware of the role games like this have on the title race. The league title won't be decided by games against Man City, but how they react to disappointments against sides like Aston Villa that seemingly have little to play for.
"It’s difficult now because it’s been a rollercoaster and was very emotional at the end. I think we showed a lot of resilience, character and quality,” Arteta said after the game.
“The context of the game was difficult, with the performance that we had against City and having to come here after less than 72 hours and then after 5 minutes you are down. Then you have to play the next 90 minutes like we are as a team right now.”
Arteta continued: “You have to (produce comebacks). Sometimes you're going to have to win games in the 94th, in the 96th, you're gonna have to score from set plays, you're gonna have to score when sometimes you are down to 10 men.
"Win any context and we've always talked about that. Today we had a really difficult context, especially with what happened after five minutes, and the team showed a lot of emotional qualities that are needed to be out there."
Despite previous regimes often displaying a dismal atmosphere when Arsenal have suffered from a poor run, the Spaniard has the trust and backing of the supporters. Defeats to Everton and Man City were not overreacted, but more recycled as motivation to react and show why their performances in the league are not a fluke.
If Arsenal are going to go on to make history and win their first league title in nearly 20 years, they must come out on top in 15 more cup finals. Do so and the current crop of players at London Colney will cement their names into Arsenal Football Club history.
But whatever happens, Arteta has done nothing but improve his pedigree as a football coach. If not this season, the years to follow are in good hands.
READ NEXT:
What Jorginho said to Bukayo Saka after Aston Villa win as Arsenal respond to Man City defeat
Man United takeover bidders net worth compared to Chelsea and Arsenal as Qatar update emerges
Premier League's 'third man' rule explained after Ruben Dias incident
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry told he can become USMNT head coach on one condition
Gabriel Martinelli brutally declared 'rubbish' amid disrespectful Arsenal moment vs Aston Villa
