Liverpool are the only other of England’s football giants to know what it feels like to be Arsenal at this current moment in time.
Neither two of the England’s top clubs have tasted league title glory in the past decade, and specifically for the past 26 years, as is the case for the Reds.
However, while Jurgen Klopp has re-energised a Liverpool side that has gone somewhat under the radar in recent years, Arsene Wenger’s fine start to the campaign with the Gunners could be about to come to a sudden halt.
In fact, since Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ era, the north Londoners have become very much the opposite when it comes to the month of November. A period in which has far too often defined the Gunners’ season, over the years.
Since Wenger’s arrival from the unknown in 1996, the Frenchman has yielded just three league titles in 19 years in charge. And it seems there is a clear answer to why Arsenal’s bright starts to campaigns soon fade out into mediocrity.
Just a single goal currently denies the Gunners top spot in the Premier League, with goal difference currently keeping the club second, behind Manchester City. And their Champions League form is also admirable so far this campaign, after their midweek 6-0 victory over Ludogorets.
But everything could be about to come to a shuddering end in just over a weeks’ time when they will find out if their dreaded November curse remains, or if they can salvage their reputation from a month that often has a dark cloud lingering over the Emirates.
NOVEMBER HOODOO
Since Wenger took over, Arsenal have picked up just 1.59 points per game in November, with a 47% win rate. But while it doesn’t shout disaster, it is by far the club’s worst month of the season.
August is the Gunners’ second-worst month of the campaign, but even in the early stages of season the club average 1.88 points per game – speaking volumes of how bad November really can get for the north Londoners.
On the other hand, this month, along with March and September, usually garner the best points tallies of the season, with an average of 2.15, 2.18 and 2.14 points per game respectively.
But it should be no surprise to see a more cautious look on Arsenal fans’ faces next month, when in all but eight of Wenger’s seasons in charge, have resulted in an incredibly poor 11th month of the year.
November has seen Arsenal pick up fewer points per game in the month alone; compared to their season’s average. Something Wenger will be desperate to rectify this month, although there are factors out of his control.
INJURY CRISIS
Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez are just two examples of players who have suffered a November injury crisis, and with the increasing working load next month, it is vital that Wenger manages his squad effectively, in order to avoid being plagued by injuries.
Arsenal have over 80 injuries in November, over the past ten years – which gives every reason to suggest the club’s medical staff may well be in for a busy period of the season.
And the month doesn’t start any tougher than facing in-form north London rivals Tottenham, before taking on Manchester United and Bournemouth – who beat Hull 6-1 last weekend – on top of facing Ludogorets and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
If Wenger is to guide Arsenal to the title this season, then it will rely on him maintaining a healthy squad that can continue to keep up their early-season form.
However, if the Gunners do slip away from the title chase – as has often been the case in recent years – they will no doubt be looking back on the month of November.