Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson has confidently backed the club to win the Premier League title this season following their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Newcastle United. The win, secured by an early Eberechi Eze strike, lifted the Gunners back to the top of the table after a disappointing loss to Manchester City in their previous outing.
Nervy Victory at the Emirates
Arsenal's performance against a Newcastle side on a five-match losing streak was far from convincing. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Mikel Arteta's men failed to add to Eze's early goal, leaving the home crowd anxious until the final whistle. The missed opportunities also prevented Arsenal from improving their goal difference, which could prove crucial in the title race.
Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of the match, stating, 'It's so hard to win in this league. We know that. That's why the amount of points that the teams have now compared to all the years is different. The reason is because it is so competitive, so difficult to do it.' He added that the message at half-time was clear: they needed to score a second goal, but efficiency in certain areas was lacking.
Robson's Confident Prediction
Despite the shaky performance, Stewart Robson remains optimistic about Arsenal's title chances. Speaking to ESPN, he said, 'I just think Arsenal will win the league. I don't think Manchester City are going to win every game from now until the end of the season, and I think Arsenal probably will. I look at the fixtures and I think Arsenal win their games.'
Robson acknowledged the challenges ahead, including a Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid and a league fixture against Fulham. He noted that the three points against Newcastle provide a confidence boost and could see Arsenal go six points clear before City's next league game. However, he warned that Arsenal must expend significant energy against Atletico, unlike City, who rested players in the FA Cup.
Injury Concerns
The victory was marred by potential injuries to Kai Havertz and match-winner Eze, described by Arteta as 'muscular niggles.' The Arsenal boss remained hopeful they would be available for the midweek Champions League tie, but further assessments are needed.
Robson also highlighted that several factors have fallen in Arsenal's favour this season, including a favourable Champions League draw and a potential FA Cup semi-final spot. With the title race heating up, the former midfielder's confidence reflects the belief within the Arsenal camp that this could be their year.
