Footballing Weekly: Arsenal have no more room for error in title chase

SINGAPORE — How damaging was Arsenal's 2-2 draw with West Ham in the English Premier League (EPL) on Sunday (16 April)?

Well, for one, it narrows their lead atop the table to just four points from nearest challengers Manchester City - and they have played a game more than the defending champions.

Considering that the Gunners still to travel to the daunting Eithad Stadium to face City, that lead will be wiped out if Pep Guardiola's side win their game in hand (an admittedly tricky tie against Brighton) and then defeat the league leaders at home.

So, no pressure, Mikel Arteta and gang.

What's more damaging was to the Gunners' irrepressible momentum they have rode on since the start of the season. It is now gone — after they had let 2-0 leads slip away for a second consecutive match in a week, following their 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield two Sundays ago.

Can they arrest this alarming slide in time to hang on to their lead and end their 19-year EPL title drought?

The signs do not look good. In their past two matches, the Gunners seemed to lose steam in the second half as their opponents mounted furious comebacks. They looked lost and short on ideas - a far cry from their swashbuckling performances early in the season.

It is understandable that legs will be tired at the business end of the season, and so title chasers rely on their mental fortitude or veteran know-how to guide them past this gruelling stretch.

However, this Gunners side are young and callow, with few experienced heads to lead the way. (No, resident hothead Granit Xhaka does not count.)

So it is left to their collective mental strength to protect their precious lead - and here's where the doubters come: this bunch is in the midst of their first title hunt, while City are wily and relentless campaigners seeking their fifth title in six years.

Can Arsenal overcome all these odds? One thing is for sure: they have no more room for any more errors.

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