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Arsenal’s ‘Disappointing’ Premier League Campaign – Club Legend Reacts

It has been a season of pure frustration for Arsenal, currently sitting 11 points behind league-leaders Liverpool, with just seven games remaining. The Gunners had been tipped for a serious title battle at the beginning of the season and were firm favourites at one point considering Manchester City’s collapse.

However, a run of poor results and unfortunate events left Mikel Arteta’s side trailing heavily behind Liverpool, who are now on course to lift the title in Arne Slot’s debut season. The weekend’s 1-1 draw away to Everton was perhaps the final nail in the coffin for Arteta’s side.

Despite the woeful domestic form, Arsenal do still have a chance to make this season historic with a UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final clash with Real Madrid on the horizon.

Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn spoke exclusively to EPL Index and shared his thoughts on the draw with Everton and the season so far…

Everton 1-1 Arsenal Reaction:

“I thought Arsenal played the better football and should have won the game,” began Winterburn, “They started the game brightly and controlled possession well.”

“I was disappointed with the penalty decision. It didn’t look like a penalty at all to me,” said Winterburn.

Photo: IMAGO

Arsenal’s early dominance was rewarded as Leandro Trossard gave them the lead after 34 minutes.

However, it didn’t take long in the second half for Everton to level through a controversial penalty decision. Myles Lewis-Skelly was deemed to have brought Jack Harrison down in the box, in a call that certainly raised a few eyebrows.

Iliman N’Diaye made no mistake in converting the penalty and forcing the Gunners into another two dropped points.

Injuries and Refereeing Controversy: Reasons or Excuses?

Controversial refereeing decisions have been at the centre of Arsenal’s story all season long and whilst some have seemed a bit of a stretch, this one is certainly one.

However, Winterburn was keen to point out that Arsenal aren’t worthy title winners regardless and praised title rivals Liverpool for their consistency.

“Liverpool have been the most consistent team this season and deserve to win the title,” said Winterburn, “For Arsenal, they will be disappointed with the gap behind Liverpool but to lose four strikers all at once is very unfortunate.”

At one point, Arteta was without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli and it showed in their results.

Photo IMAGO

But it’s not all doom and gloom for the Gunners, with Winterburn reminding us of the positives to take from this season.

“When you look at Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly coming through from the academy, and Arsenal will almost certainly sign a striker in the summer, then things are looking really positive for them next season,” said Winterburn.