Bouncing back in style
In the past it has only taken one bad result to derail Arsenal title challenges. In 07/08 it was the 2-2 draw with Birmingham City. In 13/14 it was the 5-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. This year it truly felt that it could the Europa League loss to Sporting CP.
It is not so much that the defeat had a massive emotional impact. Arsenal have bigger fish to fry this season having essentially secured their Champions League status with a 22-point lead over fifth-placed Newcastle at matchday 28. Instead though, the impact in the legs of an 120 minute slog, and the loss of two key defenders in William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu combined with a possible new manager bounce for Crystal Palace felt like the ingredients for a Molotov Cocktail blow to Arsenal's title hopes. The Gunners though were cool as you like.
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