The performances over the past two months have become more inconsistent, coinciding with the revolving door of injuries, but the Gunners are weathering the storm and at the start of the season if you offered any fan the chance to be in the position Arsenal are in, everyone would have taken it.
The recent run was typified by the 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday evening, with Arsenal facing a resolute Toffees defence, relying on a penalty from Viktor Gyökeres to scrape the three points.
While in the cup, Arsenal forced an own goal from Palace before being dragged to penalties by a 95th-minute equaliser and eventually winning 8-7 in the shootout.
Recent weeks have not seen dominant scorelines, free-flowing football or even Arsenal’s stern defence, but points and wins keep racking up.
The issue is that Manchester City’s purple patch, and potential January additions, put a slight cloud over Arsenal’s situation.
But it’s important to take stock and celebrate, and there’s plenty of cause for optimism. With underperformance often comes a course correction, and the same is true of overperformance, so while the momentum feels against Arsenal, it could well swing back in the coming weeks.
There’s also the impending return of Kai Havertz, who has only played 31 minutes all season, and Gabriel, both of whom are back in training.
Gabriel’s impact is obvious and should help immediately solidify the defence. For Havertz, a return could transform the attacking unit with Gyökeres in need of some rest and time out of the spotlight and Gabriel Jesus needing to be eased back to fitness. It also gives Arteta tactical flexibility with two forwards, the ability to play Havertz in midfield, and another weapon against low blocks.
Up next, the Gunners face mid-table Brighton at home on Saturday at 7.30pm, followed by third-place Aston Villa at home on Tuesday at 8.15pm, to take Mikel Arteta’s side to the halfway point of the Premier League season.