Arsenal are in a very unfamiliar terrority because they head into the final few weeks of the campaign with the Premier League title on the line.
This time last season, Mikel Arteta’s side had capitulated and handed the Premier League title to Manchester City.
But after Arsenal’s win over Bournemouth on Saturday, they are making sure that pressure is still on and they are taking this all the way.
A few generations ago now, but a certain Michael Thomas, in 1989 and on the final day of the season, scored a stoppage-time goal at Anfield to help the Gunners become champions of England in the most dramatic of fashions and perhaps the greatest goal in the club’s history.
Well, Arsenal are going to face a Merseyside team again on the final day when Everton visit the Emirates.
The Gunners still have to do their job away at Manchester United before that, and if they do that, then at the very least, they know the title will be decided on the last day.
Whatever happens, these group of players have never been closer to becoming legends and finally ending the club’s two-decade wait to become champions again.
If it happens, then one man has played a pivotal role and that’s the midfield machine, Declan Rice.
After Rice’s display against Bournemouth, Gary Lineker was sure to point out that he has had an ‘outstanding’ campaign, as he told Match of the Day.
But the former England striker also highlighted the 25-year-old’s ‘exceptional’ ability on the ball.
Declan Rice’s ball-carrying ability
“Perhaps the star man was Declan Rice, he has had an outstanding season,” said Lineker.
“He’s really good at running with the ball, isn’t he? Bursting the lines, he is exceptional at that. Lots of good stats, do you think he will make the England squad?” joked the former striker.
“The issue for Gareth Southgate will be where he plays. Whether he plays him holding because they are a little bit short there. Six or an eight. He can play either.”
Arsenal and Manchester City
Let’s be honest, hours after beating Bournemouth, the Arsenal fans would have been deflated after they watched Pep Guardiola’s team put five goals past Wolves.
Erling Haaland bagged himself four goals to probably showcase to the rest of the Premier League that they are feeling zero nerves.
READ MORE: David Seaman isn’t having what he’s hearing from Declan Rice after Arsenal’s win v Bournemouth
Someone from somewhere has to do Arsenal a favour. The three remaining teams that can do it are all London clubs – Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Of course, the headline and most dramatic one would be Spurs doing their north London rivals a favour by getting a result against Man City.