Arsenal on Track to Claim Premier League Title, But Why Settle for Just That?

Inter Milan were more desperate for the points, but it was Arsenal who took them. Despite making seven changes to the starting lineup, Mikel Arteta's team secured their seventh consecutive win. With a game to spare, they have guaranteed a top-two finish, if not a top-eight spot. Following Arsenal's 3-1 victory over last season's Champions League runners-up, a beaming Arteta acknowledged that the outcome would have been exactly as he had scripted it, with Gabriel Jesus scoring twice at the San Siro. When Jesus was substituted to a standing ovation from the Arsenal fans, Viktor Gyokeres came on to seal the win, giving Arteta a pleasant 'headache' in terms of selecting his front line. Jesus delivered a phenomenal performance that went beyond his goals, while Bukayo Saka also impressed. Cristhian Mosquera was extremely combative, and Gabriel Martinelli's pass for Gyokeres' goal was outstanding. This felt like a significant moment for Arsenal, with Arteta highlighting their maturity, intelligence, and emotional control. When asked what the win proved, he replied, 'First and foremost, it shows our ambition and conviction that we can compete against any team.' Arteta conceded that the stakes were slightly lower going into this match, but even with the changes, Arsenal were superior. Inter boss Cristian Chivu noted, 'They were better at seizing opportunities and showed more energy. Saka is very difficult to stop, and they always caused problems.' Few teams have been able to cope with Arsenal's attack, and David Raya has not had to make a save in five of his Premier League appearances this season. Arsenal's expected goals against is the lowest in the competition. Even now, there is a hint of caution in the talk. Jesus had said before the game, 'We are getting closer. I believe we can win.' And so he should, given that Arsenal are top of the Premier League and Champions League tables. The gap to second place in the Premier League is seven points, with Arsenal having extended their lead on a weekend when they did not win. With one foot in the Carabao Cup final, this team is still going strong in four competitions under Arteta. The fixture list has been relentless, and the injury list has been unkind, but here they are, having lost only once in all competitions since the end of August. Their corners remain unstoppable, and it is not just Premier League teams that are struggling. Chivu had planned to use zonal marking, but it was undone in the first half when Jesus nodded in from close range after winning first contact. The depth of the team is remarkable, with Arteta saying, 'We have different profiles in that position, like we have with the wingers and in other positions.' Gabriel and Declan Rice were substitutes in the San Siro, while Martin Odegaard was not required. Arsenal's focus on the Premier League title makes sense, but do not underestimate their European ambitions. The Gunners ran into a Paris Saint-Germain team in their flow state last spring, but Arteta's rock-solid outfit is set up for European silverware. It has been over a year since Arsenal lost a Premier League game by two clear goals, and that was when they were down to 10 men for an hour at Bournemouth. The away draws and narrow home wins that have made fans edgy are what Champions Leagues are made of. Manuel Akanji, the Inter defender, might have withheld his praise beforehand, saying, 'Not the very best,' and pointing to a Bayern Munich team that was beaten 3-1 in London in November. But Arsenal have nothing to fear, only themselves. Because still, there are those nagging fears that it will all go wrong. That angst is understandable in context. Arteta has urged his team and supporters to 'enjoy the journey,' but that is not quite the emotion that captures this feeling right now. Arsenal are aching for a trophy, desperate for this not to be in vain. The fans know that they had more Premier League points than this three years ago, and the rational part of their brain appreciates that Manchester City are not what they were, that Liverpool are out of the title picture, and that Aston Villa cannot hope to last the pace. They know all that, but they worry. No matter that they have scored 72 goals courtesy of 16 different scorers, none of them are into double figures. Is Gyokeres really going to be good enough when it matters most? Will Jesus and Saka stay fit? Yes, they worry. Topping this phase of the competition did not do Liverpool much good last time around, and there is still the possibility of an awkward draw in the round of 16. The negative spin is that maybe Arsenal have peaked too soon yet again. But this was still a barometer. It was an indication of where Arsenal are right now. That there could be more fluency should be seen as a positive when they are winning anyway. The best Germany and Italy have to offer have been beaten, and they are better than everyone they have played so far. Arteta's mantra is that they must use each confidence boost as fuel. 'We have to carry on going,' he concluded on Tuesday. For the Arsenal supporters, some will need to see it before they believe it. But maybe they also need to believe it before they get to see it. Because while the pocket of supporters cheering long into the night in Milan sounded like they were heeding Arteta's advice to enjoy the journey, most have another thought in mind. It is the destination that matters now, and that could be so sweet indeed.