A good problem to have but misfiring Arsenal perhaps have made it City's title to lose

This is what Liverpool have endured in the five previous seasons that left them with just one Premier League title despite being so good and recording over 90 points in more than three seasons or so in that time.

Mikel Arteta had been on the other side of things as the assistant to Pep Guardiola in Manchester City, but the Spaniard could be about to find himself in a similar situation to that of Jürgen Klopp.

Well, it's a good problem to have but it is never a good feeling falling the victim in such circumstance. In the wake of the draw at West Ham United , Arsenal will need a miracle to deliver a first league title in more than 19years.

Last season was awful. The start was the worst in the history of the club and the ending to it delivered some of the most heartbreaking moments in the club's history. But fans, a fair part held on to the positives, which to be fair was all they could given how poor they've been in past seasons.

On the verge of Champions League qualification, they lost to Brighton at the Emirates. Lost to Tottenham Hotspur in a decisive North London derby match and got run over by Newcastle United at the Saint James' Park. Arsenal agonizing watched as their top four hopes died.

There were times during the season when the fans started to believe again, not to deny the side has very much improved than in recent times and on their day, hardly any side in the Premier League can live with their aura.

However, having put themselves in a position to dream big, the time has come when it just has to be their day every Gameweek when they take to the pitch, whether in front of the over 60 thousand fans in Emirates Stadium or elsewhere.

Whether in the league or other domestic competitions. Even in European competitions, there should be no excuse for failure at this time. And when the time come that they failed to deliver in games, there should be a significant reason that could be understandable.

In a Premier League where little less than a hundred points or even more is only enough to topple the standing after a 38-game season, complacency can never be forgiven, not at any state of the campaign.

Back in August when the league season kick-off, Arsenal were not considered good enough to challenge for the title but midway through the campaign, at some point they were able to convince some, while some others remain adamant of their credibility.

To be fair, there were times the title became theirs to lose but in a Premier League where nothing is certain, and you have Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City breathing down your neck, you're never too certain of going all the way.

But Arsenal have become so good, so much that many fancied them to win in Anfield, a stadium where they had not won in six years and just last season, were blown away by four goals to nothing.

But there in the opening 30 minutes, they looked like they were going to take it all against Jurgen Klopp’s minions.

And that has been so much about Arsenal all season. Evidence from their opening game of the season when for 30 minutes or so at the Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace were hanging on for dear life.

Infact, the Gunners ranked second for most goals in the opening ten minutes in the league this season and have comfortably win games thereon.

But once they conceded, they become vulnerable and succumb to the pressure, a fact that led to the draw in each of their last two games. This has become another headache for Mikel Arteta.

After the first 30 minutes in Anfield, even Manchester City would have thought it is game over in the race for the title but the 150 minutes that has followed since then is most likely to be decisive come May, and it is no good news for The North Londoners.

Last season, it was the battle against adversity. Arsenal won just once when they'd conceded first in the Premier League. Only against Wolves were they able to come from behind to earn any Premier League points, losing every other time the opposition strike first.

This term, they've come back to win against Fulham, Manchester United, Aston Villa, West Ham United and others and have everything going on well, even after they surrendered a two goal lead in Anfield to earn a draw. They were still in good shape at the time.

However, a response was expected against West Ham United, moreso after watching their title rivals, Manchester City ease past Leicester City on Saturday to close the gap to three.

But again, they started so well and took a two goal lead and in the opening 30 minutes, West Ham United had no answer to the questions being thrown at them.

Unfortunately, they unluckily gave away a soft penalty from absolutely nothing for the opponent. You could blame Thomas Partey for giving the ball away, or Tierney for passing to the Ghanaian in such an awkward position.

Others might blame referee, David Coote for not awarding the foul by Declan Rice or for awarding a penalty that could be overlooked, but the reality was, Arsenal became the architect of their own downfall.

After conceding the penalty, and the advantage has been halved, the next goal was always going to be decisive and they were presented an opportunity to restore the two goal cushion. Again, they couldn't convert.

Bukayo Saka completely missed the target from twelve yards. He has been their best player this season but when you are in such position, you cannot just afford any downtime because such errors might be unforgiven.

In the end, it took less than three minutes after that penalty miss before Jarrod Bowen restored parity for the host and from there, all that was left was a test of their mental strength.

Unable to respond in time meant two points dropped and maybe title dream over. Games against relegatiom threatened West Ham was supposed to be a pass for a team contending for the league title but unfortunately, it ended all square in London.

Arsenal also dropped points to Southampton, who were bottom of the table and the time and till now. Though they were victim of poor officiating when Brentford came to the Emirates, but it doesn't change the fact that those were needless points dropped.

Between now and the end of the season, Mikel Arteta and the boys will ponder what they could have done better to change those crucial situations but they're now things of the pass, ones that put together have become delight for the blue side of Manchester.

With City firing on all cylinders of late, and their next league game coming up against Arsenal at the Ethiad, a win will see them regain the advantage in the race for the title, and it could be game over for Arsenal.

Being in the title conversation and having this kind of feeling is a good problem to have, but Arsenal just have to start doing more, because to rub shoulders with the current heavyweights, you are not allowed to switch off at any moment in time.

It's been years since they've been genuine contender for the league title and maybe in those times, performances like this could still earn win them the league title - even their invincible season produced 90 points.

But the reality of today, of the new era and modern day requires concentration from the start to the finish, because everything in-between will count come the end of the season.

Maybe now is the time to learn and come stronger in the future. But one thing is certain, and that is the competition for the league title is expected to be more fierce than it is this season, because the slumbering giants will awake, and will come looking for the crown all cherish. That is why it is top six in this division.

Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi