http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/arsenal/id/3463?cc=3888Arsenal's title MarchPosted by John Cross
This season's Premier League title race has developed into a war of attrition.
And even if the only direct title rival Arsenal have beaten this season has been Liverpool -- the Gunners have been beaten at Manchester City and held at home by Chelsea -- there has been few better teams at accumulating points.
Despite their poor record against the top sides, with just 11 games to go, Arsenal are second, one point off the top, and find themselves locked in a four way battle with Chelsea, City and Liverpool for the championship.
But after Saturday's trip to Stoke (no easy game either), they face what's being called as a nightmare run, which includes Tottenham away, Chelsea away, Manchester City at home and then Everton away.
That is a set of fixtures which should sort the men from the boys and, predictably, most pundits reckon it will sort out Arsenal too.
However, if you look at it another way, if the Gunners are still within four points of the top after that run finishes (which is well within their range) then they have a great chance of the title.
Their run-in to the end of the season is West Ham at home, Hull away, Newcastle and West Brom at home. Then also Swansea at home is to be arranged.
The point is that you don't have to beat your rivals to win the title. Arsenal have been very consistent against the lesser teams, putting them away week after week.
Last Saturday was a huge test against Sunderland after a gruelling and tiring week. The Champions League takes it out of you.
Yet they really put in a strong display, won 4-1 and boosted their confidence.
The reward was that Wenger gave the whole squad a couple of days off -- that's pretty unusual under Wenger -- to recharge their batteries.
Being realistic, Arsenal will be out of the Champions League, and only have the FA Cup to distract from the Premier League, but then that's only two more games if they can beat Everton in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are likely to overcome Galatasaray to stay in Europe. City have the FA Cup and another game to be rearranged because of the Capital One Cup final and it may be a fixture too far for them as they've already got another game to reorganise.
Liverpool have benefitted all season from not having European games as they look fresh each weekend.
The run-in will be vital. While the current Arsenal team might be new to all this, Wenger has been here many times before.
Wenger has the experience and a cool head and their run is favourable to say the least. They have more games at home, they have a nightmare March but a kind April and May.
Arsenal need to do what they've been doing all season. Stay within range, stay consistent and keep building up points.
Arsenal can win the title if they can just navigate that hard run. They've had difficult runs before but they've come through it. They can do it again.