Arsenal Take The Top Spot But Face A Battle Of Endurance

Arsenal secured an important 2-0 victory away to Wolves on Saturday night to move to the top of the Premier League table. The result saw the Gunners leapfrog Manchester City into first place, giving their title hopes a timely boost. However, Mikel Arteta knows this win has simply piled more pressure on as the gruelling schedule continues.

Goals from Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard were enough to see off a Wolves side depleted by injuries. But Arsenal’s performance showed the effects of their midweek Champions League exertions as they laboured to victory. Arteta made just three changes from the Bayern Munich defeat despite the quick turnaround. The players looked jaded by the end as the toll of matches takes its effect.

Can Arsenal Last The Distance?

With key games against Chelsea and Tottenham on the horizon, plus European football to juggle, Arsenal’s small squad will be stretched to its limits. Arteta has relied heavily on his first-choice players all season with little rotation. While this tactic has brought success so far, fatigue could become the Gunners’ biggest opponent. Their opponents in the title race have more depth and rest periods to call upon. It remains to be seen if Arsenal have the endurance to sustain a challenge all the way to May.

While the result against Wolves lifts spirits in the short term, Arsenal know the hard yards are just beginning. More squad rotation may be needed to keep players fresh for the marathon still to run. Reaching the top has been the easy part – staying there when opposition sides are well rested will prove Arsenal’s toughest test yet. How they manage the load over the coming weeks could determine whether this is merely a false dawn or the start of something more lasting.