International break catch-up: Five takeaways from Arsenal’s season so far

CARDIFF, WALES – SEPTEMBER 02: Arsenal Head Coach Unai Emery before the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal started off the season pretty poorly, but heading into the international break, they are probably the English team in the best form.

The international break is here. Sigh. As fans of domestic football, it’s what we all dread. But not to panic, because it gives us the opportunity to watch our favourite stars represent their countries, and of course, take a breather from all the action across European football.

That said, I have decided to compile five lessons we can take from Arsenal’s season thus far…

1. The big games need improving

As tribute to many Arsenal matches this season, I’ve decided to start on a downer. Not to panic though, it’s the only one.

Of course, it’s easy to get caught up in Arsenal’s nine game win streak, but it’s important to not forget their opening two games. The two most telling matches of the season were against Manchester City and Chelsea, both of which the Gunners lost.

The Chelsea game was just a stroke of bad luck, whereas Manchester City were, well, Manchester City. Their star players were in form, but Arsenal were never expected to win this match.

The top of the table is hotly contested, it’s the closest it has been in a while actually. Just two points separate fifth place Spurs from top-of-the-table City.

I can’t help but feel like the telling tale of how the top four pans out will be how well they fare against each other. That said, Arsenal will need to transcend their form against the lower sides against those higher in the table. I’m sure they can do just that.