Arsenal must hope this isn't where the choke starts after dropping two trophies in two weeks

Arsenal have dropped out of two trophies in as many weeks at the business end of the season, and having crumbled in the Premier League in a similar position previously, they'll be praying this isn't where their big choke begins.

Two weeks ago, there were whisperings of a historic quadruple at the Emirates, with the Gunners still active in the League Cup, FA Cup, Champions League and top of the Premier League.

Two weeks down the line, it's become clear why nobody has even completed that feat, as Arsenal have halved their trophy opportunities, losing to Manchester City in the League Cup final and being dumped out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage by Championship side Southampton.

Though Arsenal controlled possession, they created few clear-cut chances, while Saints were decisive in front of goal, scoring first and remaining calm when the Gunners equalised, getting their noses back in front with five minutes to spare.

For Arsenal, there is solace in that the two remaining trophies they are fighting for are the two they'd most like to win: the Champions League and the Premier League.

A UCL quarter-final against Sporting CP represents a great chance to reach the semis, while the Gunners are currently nine points clear of second-placed City in the league, a gap which would only be closed to six points should the Citizens win their game in hand.

Arsenal are in control, as they have been for months, but we have seen this happen before and they crumbled spectacularly, so it's hard to rule out the same happening again.

For three years in a row, the Gunners have finished second in the Premier League, and the 2022-23 season will have been one of their most gut-wrenching failings.

They had maintained a three-point gap to second-placed City from game 26 to 30 of the season, when they drew 2-2 to Liverpool, before the Gunners drew the next two games, and then were hammered 4-1 by City, who took control and ended up winning the title by five points.

There is evidence to suggest that when they have one bad result in a pressure situation, more follow. The last two weeks are perfect examples of that: they hadn't lost in the last 15 games before facing City in the League Cup final, and they've now lost two on the spin.

With a Champions League tie next up, and some crucial Premier League fixtures to follow, it is absolutely imperative for Arsenal not to let this poor run continue.

But Gabriel's knee injury flared up against Southampton, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Piero Hincapie are all currently sidelined.

Some may return in the next couple of games, and Arsenal know how catastrophic it can be to have a crucial player unavailable at the most important point in the season.

In 2022-23, William Saliba quickly established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League, and played the full 90 minutes in 26 of 27 league fixtures that campaign.

But a back injury kept him out for the final 11 games, of which Arsenal went on to draw and lose three each.Now is not the time to have a repeat of that season.

With the Premier League having been in touching distance for three seasons in a row, it will taste so sweet should Arsenal fend off their demons and get over the line, particularly after dropping out of two more competitions.

The Champions League would be an added bonus, and those two trophies would surely make up for the disappointing way the club bowed out of the other two.

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