SAMI MOKBEL: Why Arsenal are STRONGER this season… strapping superstars, new physicality and bringing in Ivan Toney could help them push City all the way

The foundations of Arsenal’s title fight go back to the capitulation of precedent.

On May 19 this year, Mikel Arteta felt compelled to point out some homegrown truths during a meeting at their team hotel before the penultimate game of the season at Nottingham Forest.

Five days earlier, the Spaniard had seen his side implode at home to Brighton, a result which effectively ended Arsenal’s title dream.

But it was not this result or this performance that appealed to Arteta. The mood at the club’s London Colney training ground in the aftermath of the heartbreaking defeat was distinctly somber. The sessions would have lacked intensity. Arteta felt a lack of spirit.

Who could blame the players, they were left heartbroken after this meek surrender against Roberto De Zerbi’s side. But that gave Arteta no chance. He didn’t recognize his team that week and told them so before the Forest game.

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Arsenal lost 1-0 at the City Ground – a result which mathematically ended their title fight.

Arteta knew it. But have they learned? Sunday’s euphoric victory against Manchester City has fans dreaming of the title once again. Can they go the distance?

Here, Mail Sport analyzes why Arsenal’s title race is stronger this year and where it could dip again.

William Saliba

Arteta may reflect on City’s victory with pangs of ‘what could have been’. Saliba was imperious this weekend, dealing ruthlessly with Erling Haaland. But if only he had been available for the clash at the Etihad on April 26.

City dispatched Arsenal 4-1 to deal a fatal psychological blow. For all intents and purposes, this was the day City won the title and they did it by ruthlessly tearing apart Arsenal’s soft centre. Saliba could only watch in frustration, a back injury ruling him out.

Arteta was vague with the details of Saliba’s illness, publicly refusing to describe the injury or set a time frame for his return. The lack of transparency was because Saliba felt he could play. But the structural damage to his back was such that doctors were unable to return him.

Many at the club believe Saliba’s absence for the final 11 games of the season cost Arsenal the title. There is certainly credence to these claims. Injury problems persist.

Saliba has been playing for several weeks with a painful foot injury, a problem which led him to withdraw from the France team this week. Arteta hopes the problem will be resolved soon as he has seen first-hand the impact on his team when Saliba is absent.

Physical

Arsenal signed Kai Havertz and Declan Rice this summer, who stand 6ft 4in and 6ft 1in respectively. It is a deliberate strategy from Arteta and sporting director Edu, who both agreed the team lacked physicality at crucial times last season.

They acted effectively to address these perceived flaws and appear stronger. The victory at Crystal Palace in their second match of the season is a good example of this.

Far from their best, Arsenal clung to a 1-0 lead despite finishing at 10 after Takehiro Tomiyasu’s red card in the 67th minute.

That evening, we could notice how robust the Gunners were in defending their own box under an aerial bombardment from Palace in the closing stages.

Arsenal, due to their attacking abilities, will take on teams off the park – but thanks to a very specific recruitment strategy, they can get away with it too.

Declan Rice

That’s £105 million well spent. Rice will captain Arsenal one day, at least Arteta thinks he will. He might just be the biggest difference between Arsenal’s failure in the title race last season and their triumph this campaign.

Already one of the leaders of the Arsenal dressing room, it’s abundantly clear why Arteta made him his all-or-nothing signing of the summer.

Arsenal paid more than expected, the club thought they could get him for £90 million. But the Gunners did not pay too much. If he continues on this trajectory, it’s a good deal. Rice brings control, dynamism, balance and tenacity to central midfield.

When Thomas Partey returns to full fitness, Rice will be free to take his talents further up the pitch. Rice, Partey and Martin Odegaard: is there a better engine room in England?

Toney in January?

Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Havertz – as a false nine – remain crucial to Arsenal’s setup. But questions remain over whether Arsenal need someone who can score 25-30 goals a season.

It’s a gap that Arteta and the Arsenal recruitment team take very seriously. One name comes to mind: Ivan Toney. A striker that Arsenal covets big time.

It is understood Toney also covets Arsenal. From the looks of it, Toney is a perfect fit for Arsenal. Goals are a clear selling point, but Toney’s character and physique tick a lot of boxes for Arteta.

But after spending more than £200m this summer, is there enough in the bank to make another substantial outlay – probably around £80m – for Toney in January? If they did, it would impact their spending next summer.

Avoid injury

Jurrien Timber is out for most of the season with an ACL injury suffered in the season opener against Nottingham Forest. Arsenal have already lost Bukayo Saka, Partey and Gabriel Martinelli for games this season.

It is a testament to the team that Arteta has built that they have managed to get by without key players.

But take Rice, Saliba or Gabriel off the team and fans would worry. Arteta places a lot of emphasis on player durability. For all of Saka’s brilliant attributes, his durability – his ability to play through pain – is the trait Arteta admires most.

Arteta’s regime is tough. The training is intense and can take a toll on the body. If Arsenal can keep their best players on the pitch, then they will be City’s closest challengers.