Arsenal 1-1 draw with Brentford don open one kind serious question for top of Premier League table. Dem still dey lead Manchester City, but wetin dey happen under the results don dey hard to ignore. Any time wey City play first, Arsenal dey too often stumble.
This one na the fourth time for recent weeks wey Mikel Arteta team go play after City and dem no fit take full advantage. City beat Fulham with ease, but Arsenal struggle for west London. Earlier for the season, dem drop points against Nottingham Forest just few hours after City lose Manchester derby. Dem still falter against Liverpool after Pep Guardiola team slip for Brighton. Even the defeat to Manchester United happen the day after City beat Wolves.
If you check the games wey Arsenal play first, the story different. When City never play and no result dey hang for their head, Arsenal dey play free. Dem beat Sunderland well before City dramatic trip go Liverpool. Dem handle that tough visit to Elland Road, even after Bukayo Saka injure for warm-up, before City game with Spurs. Dem find way beat Bournemouth before City host Chelsea, and dem still show statement win against Aston Villa the day before City next match.
Arteta no gree say playing second dey affect him players. E dey always point to those narrow but important wins against Brighton and Everton wey still come after City don win earlier for the season. But now the stakes don high pass before. As the run-in dey near and other competitions dey hot, every point wey dem drop dey heavy, every mistake dey carry extra weight.
For the Brentford match, you fit see say the pressure don enter Arsenal usually controlled game. Gabriel early bad pass wey give corner and the plenty rough fouls show small panic. David Raya sliced throw wey give Igor Thiago clear chance look like the kind big error wey cost them against Manchester United. Gabriel Martinelli, wey sharp against City for September, don dey miss big chances against Forest and Brentford.
Title race dey always affect how players and coaches take decide for pitch, and City experience for closing title race dey overshadow Arsenal wey no get that kind experience yet. Whether na the fixtures really dey affect them or na just mental wahala, Arsenal must solve this their “after City” problem quick. With Wolves next, then two hot London derbies against Tottenham and Chelsea, the space for emotional shakiness dey reduce fast, just like their lead for top of the table.
