Just 58 days ago, Arsenal’s season was in serious danger of falling apart.
They had crashed out of the FA Cup and back-to-back Premier League defeats to West Ham and Fulham left them five points behind leaders Liverpool. In the seven games before their mid-season break to Dubai they had managed just three wins, had only scored ten goals and they looked in desperate need of a new striker.
But, incredibly, since returning from their week-long sunshine trip they have won seven consecutive Premier League games, scored 31 goals in the process and conceded just three times.
The turnaround in form and fortunes is remarkable with Declan Rice calling it a “hell of a comeback” as he admitted Dubai has become a turning point in their season.
Looking back, there were a few dissenting voices in the dressing room about going to Dubai with a few players even wondering whether it would be better to stay at home and recharge.
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But if Arsenal do go on to win the title this season then the trip will go down as Mikel Arteta's biggest masterstroke in being able to recharge his players’ bodies and minds.
Arsenal smashed Sheffield United 6-0 on Monday night (Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)Gunners boss Arteta wanted to get some fresh ideas across to his players but still dressed it up as something of a holiday which is a tribute to the man management of someone who is seen as intense and demanding by his players.
For a start, Arteta made sure all the players’ families were invited and his stars were able to spend some quality time with loved ones having a meal, playing golf with Gabriel Martinelli posting pictures of a trip to the zoo.
Arteta also wanted to turn up the level in training. He was able to do it while the players were still enjoying themselves.
Arsenal's trip to Dubai certainly wasn't a holiday out on the training field as Arteta ramped up the intensity of his sessions (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Declan Rice and Gabriel of Arsenal during a training session at NAS Sports Complex on January 13Arteta’s buzzword this season has been “control” as he wants to exert his style on opponents. They have worked tirelessly on playing a high attacking line while keeping opponents pinned back.
Kai Havertz’s runs to create space have become a huge, under appreciated feature of Arsenal’s play while they have become the Premier League’s set piece kings.
Arsenal’s set piece coach Nicolas Jover worked hard on sessions not just to improve attacking play but also defending as, after conceding just one goal from a corner in their first 14 games, they let in four in the six games before Dubai.
But Arsenal also took their own set pieces to another level. The remarkable thing about Arsenal’s win at Sheffield United was they scored six goals and none of them were from set pieces.
Declan Rice's corner-taking has been a route to goals for the GunnersThey have scored 19 goals from set pieces in the Premier League which is the highest in the division and, after last season’s instinctive and off-the-cuff football, they now have a way of scoring which means they no longer look in desperate need of a striker.
The line-up has been more settled with Jorginho the only player who is regularly interchanged and his form has been outstanding which allows Havertz to play as the false nine while Arsenal have more control - Arteta’s buzzword - in midfield.
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Rice said: “I think it has been a hell of a comeback since the Christmas period, when we lost two in a row. I think there was a lot of talk when we had the winter break.
“We came back and that full week in Dubai was just full focus on Crystal Palace and winning that game, getting the momentum back swinging our way. Since we have had that game, we have really done that and we are looking really strong, really positive.
“I think there was a narrative that we weren’t creating chances, that we needed a No.9, but in all honesty, we have been playing like this all year. All season we have been playing really well.”
It is also noticeable that Arsenal are playing with a new joy and freedom as Rice wore a huge grin after scoring at Sheffield United. He now has five goals and five assists.
He added: “It is so enjoyable. Obviously scoring and winning games 5-0, 6-0, it’s beautiful. I think I am on double figures now for the season, I think it is my best season.
"Listen, I want way more than what I’ve got at the minute. There are still loads of games to go. So hopefully I can keep hitting my targets and keep scoring goals.”
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