FANS have spotted an interesting parallel between Arsenal’s faltering title bid and Liverpool’s collapse in 2014.
A wild game at the Emirates saw Arsenal score two late goals to salvage a 3-3 draw against basement club Southampton.
The Arsenal players got together to take stock after a shocking opening 15 minutes against Southampton
But they have now dropped points in each of their last three matches and are at risk of being caught by rampant Manchester City.
If Arsenal fail to win the title from what was a commanding position, they risk going down as one of the Premier League’s nearly-men like Liverpool in 2014.
The Reds similarly strung together an unexpected title bid against Man City under Brendan Rodgers before unravelling in spectacular fashion in the final few games.
Fans drew parallels last night as Arsenal went 2-0 down.
Oleksandr Zinchenko gathered his teammates for an impromptu huddle after Theo Walcott scored against his former club.
And eagle-eyed viewers saw an ominous similarity between that moment and Steven Gerrard’s now famous huddle after Liverpool beat Man City in April 2014.
The Reds saw off their title rivals in a pulsating game before the Liverpool captain told the assembled squad: “Hey, this does not f***ing slip now. This does not f***ing slip.”
Gerrard would then literally slip two weeks later to give the ball away to Demba Ba as Chelsea won at Anfield.
In Liverpool’s desperation to close the goal difference between themselves and City, they would go on to throw away a 3-0 lead at Crystal Palace in the final nail to their title hopes.
Reflecting on Zinchenko’s huddle, one fan wrote on Twitter: “Pretending like you’ve got it under control looks so much different from actually having it under control.
“Remember when Gerrard did the huddle?”
Arsenal will be praying that the moment does not prove to an omen in their own pursuit of the Premier League.
The Gunners, who last won the crown in 2004, led the way for most of the season but have begun tripping over themselves.
They threw away a 2-0 lead at Liverpool before doing the same against West Ham.
Last night’s draw means they now have a five point lead over Man City and face Pep Guardiola’s side next.
Steven Gerrard delivered some famous words to his teammates in 2014
