Arsenal suffers a setback in the Premier League title race

Dense fog compelled Arsenal to revise their entire travel schedule, resulting in Mikel Arteta’s team having to take a bus for more than 300 km during the crucial stage of the Premier League title fight.

Arsenal’s preparation process for the away match against Leeds was seriously disrupted as adverse weather conditions prevented the team from flying as initially planned.

Originally, the "Gunners" intended to travel by private jet to save time and preserve the fitness of key players. However, heavy fog covering the northern region made Leeds-Bradford Airport unsafe for landing.

Facing the risk of being stranded at the airport, Arsenal’s management decided to alter the travel plan immediately after the afternoon training session. Instead of a flight lasting less than an hour, the team had to endure a 200-mile (around 322 km) bus ride. Traveling by road not only extended the journey time but also exposed players to severe traffic congestion on the M1 motorway.

This incident occurred at a highly sensitive moment. Arsenal is currently going through a streak of 3 consecutive Premier League matches without a win and the squad’s stamina has been significantly depleted after playing 3 games within one week.

While Arsenal is burdened with a congested match schedule and exhausting travel, Leeds United enjoys a clear advantage. The home team did not play midweek, had full preparation time, and will play at Elland Road, which always provides a passionate atmosphere. This makes Arsenal’s challenge even tougher.

In the pre-match press conference, coach Mikel Arteta tried to reassure fans and motivate his players: “Certainly, losing a match brings a lot of emotions... But I believe my role is to bring optimism and realism about the current situation.”

The Spanish strategist emphasized the current status of the club: “Our club has a long history, and finding a moment in February where we are in this position is quite rare. We are doing many things very well, so let’s mainly focus on those.”

He also affirmed that Arsenal will not let external setbacks shake their determination: “We definitely want to improve, to get better in every aspect, but with confidence and the belief that we are on the right path.”

With the gap to Man City and Aston Villa narrowing, this stormy bus journey will be a real test of the title contender’s resilience.