Arsenal's stunning resilience merits appreciation, even if they fall short in title race

Ah, the allure of a title race, where jeopardy hangs in the air, each twist and turn filled with peril. The clash of wills, the ebb and flow, the bumps in the road that test the mettle of contenders. And in the midst of it all, we find Manchester City, the petrifying behemoth of extraordinary prowess. They have already secured three top-flight titles in a row, a testament to their unrivaled consistency and dominance. Their unbeaten streak in the Premier League stretches back to December, and they are currently riding the wave of seven consecutive victories.  

The inevitability of their eventual triumph looms large, casting doubt on any alternative outcome. Can anyone truly envision City slipping up? Under the guidance of the brilliant Pep Guardiola, they have never faltered when the coveted title has been within their grasp. For Arsenal, the challenge lies in embracing the almost impossible, nurturing belief in their hearts.  

Arsenal, in dire need of precious points, sought to respond to City's comfortable win over Fulham on Saturday. Their objective on Sunday was clear: to reclaim their position at the top of the table and ensure the title race extends into the final week of the season. Traditionally, Arsenal have struggled at Old Trafford, with just one victory in their previous 16 Premier League visits. Yet they managed to get the job done at the end of the day. 

Despite not being at their fluent best and occasionally betraying nervousness against a depleted United side, Arsenal ultimately prevailed. At this crucial stage, it must have been immensely reassuring for Mikel Arteta to witness the progress his team have made under his astute stewardship.  

Indeed, a few key players were again absent from United's lineup due to injuries, and Arsenal may have admittedly made a bigger fuss about it than necessary. Nevertheless, even though this encounter may not have felt like a comfortable stroll in the park for Arsenal supporters, the undeniable truth remains that United failed to truly test the resilience of David Raya. The crux of the issue lies in United's persistent vulnerability, that lingering sense that a self-induced breakdown is forever lurking in the shadows.

In a striking contrast, the central defensive partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba displayed an imposing presence on the pitch. While Arsenal's attacking flourish may garner attention, it is the rock-solid foundation provided by this duo that has been instrumental in their pursuit of the title. 

Now, all focus shifts to Tuesday's showdown at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Arsenal fervently hope that their North London rivals can deliver a monumental favor by thwarting the unstoppable City. Even if City manages to win their final two matches, etching their names in history as the first English team to secure four successive top-flight titles, Arsenal's character and resilience have been resoundingly demonstrated and they are undeniably on an upward trajectory.

Arsenal still have a chance to conquer their own personal summit and reach an impressive 89 points, marking their highest total since the legendary 'Invincibles' season. Notably, they are poised to finish the season unbeaten against the traditional powerhouses of English football, the esteemed Big Six. 

With an admirable record of six wins and four draws from their ten encounters against the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham, Arsenal have proven their strength of will against the best in the business.  

While their collapse against Aston Villa last month may haunt them in the final analysis, it's worth acknowledging their relentless pursuit of City, a team that has established itself as a formidable winning machine. In the past, Arsenal have been unfairly labeled as 'bottle jobs' due to their history of faltering in title races. But this time around, if they fall short, it will not be due to their own shortcomings, but rather to City's sheer excellence in winning it all.