Title tension rises as Arsenal visit Spurs

As the Premier League season is reaching its climax, the storyline feels all too familiar for Arsenal -- points slipping away while closest rivals Manchester City gain ground.

Still, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta insists his side must endure such crunch situations to eventually lift the title that has long eluded the Gunners.

"The more repeatedly you are in these kinds of positions, you're going to win it. ... So, first of all, you have to be there, and then in April or May, it will be decided who is the best, who can get over the line," Arteta said ahead of their visit to a spiraling Tottenham side, who are playing their first match since the firing of manager Thomas Frank on Sunday.

In the last four seasons, Arsenal have finished second -- almost every time losing ground in the final stretch. To put it into perspective, during those four seasons, the Gunners dropped at least 10 more points than City in three campaigns and six more in another across the final 12 matches of each season. They lost the title race to City twice during this period.

The omens do not look encouraging for Arsenal this time either. In one of the more shocking results of the season, Arsenal (17-3-7, 58 points) surrendered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.

The result trimmed the Gunners' lead to five points over Manchester City, who had a game in hand entering the weekend, and marked the second straight league match in which Arsenal squandered a lead.

That may heighten the nerves in North London. Arsenal have dropped only seven points from winning positions this season -- the eighth-fewest in the league and fewer than City's 11. Arteta believes those nerves can still be channeled positively as the Gunners attempt to win their first league crown since 2003-04.

"I think it's becoming more and more exciting because that means that you are closer," Arteta said.

Meanwhile, Spurs (7-11-8, 29 points) are simply trying to steer clear of the relegation scrap, beginning the weekend in 16th place and five points above the drop zone.
That would make them eager to start life under the new coach on a positive note, adding another layer of difficulty to an already tricky trip for Arteta’s Arsenal.

With the title race tightening and familiar pressure mounting, Arsenal once again find themselves walking a fine line between promise and heartbreak -- knowing that how they navigate the decisive weeks ahead could finally determine whether this season ends in vindication or deja vu.