Everything looked so serene for Arsenal a couple of weeks ago but a sense of panic has broken out in north London with the long-time league leaders leaking goals at an alarming rate.
Consecutive 2-2 draws after having led 2-0 was bad enough but Friday’s 3-3 draw with bottom club Southampton, a game in which they trailed 3-1 in the 88th minute, gave the appearance of a side losing their heads in the heat of a title run-in
That Arsenal salvaged a point spoke volumes for their spirit but just when a business-like win was required to settle the nerves ahead of Wednesday’s trip to second-placed Manchester City, they self-destructed against a side battling to stay up.
Manager Mikel Arteta will hope experienced midfielder Granit Xhaka will have recovered from illness to face City as they are in need of some defensive steel to keep their title bid alive.
