By Chris Osa Nehikhare
After 22 long years of waiting, hoping, calculating, and occasionally suffering emotional damage at the hands of Manchester clubs, Arsenal fans are daring to whisper the forbidden sentence again: “This might be our year.”
But calm down, dear Gunners. We have seen this movie before. At the Emirates a few minutes ago, Arsenal did what title contenders are supposed to do — grind out three points against a stubborn Everton side that arrived with the enthusiasm of a team determined to ruin someone’s weekend.
For most of the match it was tense, cagey, and slightly uncomfortable — the kind of game where Arsenal fans kept checking the clock while pretending they were calm.
Then stepped forward young Dowman.
Now, this boy clearly did not receive the memo that he is supposed to be young. Instead, he turned up doing a full grown man’s job. One assist. One goal. Both arriving when Everton had begun to believe they might escape with something. The assist cracked the door open. The goal in the dying minutes slammed it shut.
Arsenal 2 – Everton 0.
Job done.
The Emirates erupted. The belief grows. The dream lives.
And the table now says Arsenal are 10 points clear.
Yes… yes… calm down again.
There is a small detail that Arsenal fans are trying very hard not to notice: Manchester City have played two games fewer. Which in football mathematics translates roughly to: “Pep Guardiola is still lurking somewhere behind the curtain.”
So while the Gunners are marching forward with confidence, City are quietly sharpening their usual April–May title-snatching tools.
Still, credit where it is due. Arsenal are fighting like ‘champions’. They are grinding out results. They are winning the games that used to trip them up in previous seasons.
And after 22 years of waiting, Arsenal supporters are once again peeking at the trophy cabinet… just to see if there’s space. Actually, its near empty!
This title race, ladies and gentlemen, is going to the wire. And somewhere in Manchester our bias remain strong and unshaken.
My dear Arsenal friends, the bobbly should remain on ice…
Don’t dare bring it out or attempt to pop it!
Its early days yet!
