Arsenal have headed into the final international break of the year on something of a sour note after drawing 2-2 with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light
Mikel Arteta
It's been a frustrating few days for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal
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Arsenal's hopes of ending their long wait for a Premier League title suffered a setback at the weekend as they dropped two crucial points against Sunderland. The 2-2 draw - sealed by an agonising last-minute equaliser from Brian Brobbey - sent the Gunners into the international break licking their wounds and searching for answers.
Mikel Arteta's side are still top of the table but Manchester City have closed the gap to just four points after dismantling Liverpool 3-0 on Sunday. To make matters worse, Arsenal now face a brutal run of fixtures, with Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea all looming before the end of the month.
As a result, what had once felt like an aura of invincibility around the Emirates Stadium has begun to fade, replaced by that all-too-familiar sense of fragility and unease.
After all, Sunderland's two goals were the first scored against Arsenal since September, ending a run of eight consecutive clean sheets and denting the team's impermeable reputation. On top of that, other issues have been exposed which, if left unaddressed, could completely derail their title charge.
Angry Arteta reaction
Mikel Arteta wanted Arsenal's Premier League clash with Everton on December 21 moved to December 20 to help with fixture congestion - and his request has been granted. The Spaniard had been left furious after learning his side would be playing two matches in 72 hours next month, with their Carabao Cup tie with Crystal Palace taking place on December 23.
On Saturday, he explained that the club had been in direct contact with the Premier League to resolve the issue. "All the time the only thing that we talk about is the welfare of the players and the supporters and if we want to maintain that principle this cannot be the case - we cannot play Sunday and Tuesday," Arteta said.
Mikel Arteta
Arteta wasn't happy with Arsenal's fixture congestion(Image: (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images))
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"So we have very positive talks to the clubs and to the Premier League and hopefully we'll find a way to help as much as possible... we cannot allow ourselves to put in that situation."
The request was approved, with the Premier League confirming on Tuesday: "Player welfare is a priority for the Premier League, and we have therefore granted requests from Arsenal and Crystal Palace to move their respective fixtures."
Odegaard injury update
Martin Odegaard is still facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines according to Norway manager Stale Solbakken, who revealed that the Arsenal captain remains "some distance" away from returning to action.
When asked for an update on Odegaard's recovery ahead of Norway's clash with Estonia, Solbakken said: "It is steady. It is going in a steady direction but he is some distance away."
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard sustains an injury
Martin Odegaard isn't expected back until December, but fears are mounting that it could be later
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Odegaard sustained an MCL injury during Arsenal's 2-0 victory over West Ham in October after a knee clash with Crysencio Summerville. The attacking midfielder is now at a critical point in his rehabilitation in Norway.
The news comes as a significant blow for the Gunners, who will be desperate to have their influential skipper back as soon as possible to bolster their Premier League title push.
Wazza warning
Players returning from injury can be a blessing - but also a curse. That's according to Wayne Rooney, who believes an influx of returning stars can create selection headaches and even a touch of disharmony in the dressing room.
Aside from Odegaard, Arsenal are currently without Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli. For much of the season, Arteta's front line has largely picked itself thanks to injuries and availability but with several key attackers nearing a return, finding the right balance could prove tricky.
Noni Madueke runs
Arsenal have a number of players due back in the next few weeks, which could cause more problems than it solves
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"It can cause problems, similar to Liverpool when they sign too many players and you have got players who are getting left on the bench who normally would be playing, that can cause problems as well in the dressing room," Rooney said on The Overlap Fan Debate.
"I don't think it's always a good thing to have everyone [available] if you have such a good squad, it's actually sometimes probably quite refreshing for the manager to have them out."
Havertz, Madueke and Martinelli are expected to return by the end of the month, with Odegaard and Jesus likely to follow in December and January. Arteta will need to manage both minutes and morale carefully to keep the atmosphere positive heading into the crucial second half of the season.
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