Overheard Arsenal conversations, Mikel Arteta and a success unlike any other

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They couldn’t, could they? Logic - and history - tells you that, no, Arsenal will not achieve an incredible feat and land a historic quadruple.

But the club's supporters are beginning to get giddy and wide-eyed at the prospect. And when fans who have followed the club home and away for decades are beginning to believe something special is right around the corner, then it is easy to see and understand why they are starting to allow themselves to get carried away.

They were talking about it straight after Arsenal beat Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night. The quadruple. Trophies. And the pieces in the jigsaw are falling into place. Suddenly you can see the path has opened up.

While clubs remain in the hunt for multiple trophies, you can't stop supporters from starting to dream. But it is dangerous to talk about it. That's why players, coaches, staff stick to the 'one match at a time' mantra. But Arsenal are still in the mix for a unique quadruple. They're on course for the Premier League title - they currently sit nine points clear of Manchester City at the top and Opta give them a 97.6 per cent chance of success - and are now into the quarter finals of the Champions League after knocking out Bayer Leverkusen to book their place against Sporting Lisbon.

Opta give Arsenal a 78 per cent chance of progressing into the semi finals, a 54 per cent chance of reaching the final and 32 per cent chance of winning it. The bookies also make them favourites.

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Arsenal face City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday at Wembley, their first shot at glory and also Mikel Arteta’s first chance of winning silverware since he won the FA Cup in his first season in charge in 2020.

That will be tough but you can also make a strong case that the FA Cup quarter final at Southampton on Saturday April 4 could be a huge obstacle too. Why? Because Arteta is certain to rest and rotate his squad to keep them fresh for the Champions League ties with Sporting.

In between those Sporting fixtures, Arsenal host Bournemouth at home - currently set for Saturday lunchtime on April 11 - and that will be a test because Andoni Iraola's side are fearless, energetic and Arsenal have got to juggle competitions.

And this is why it is so hard to win all four major titles - and why no team has done it before.

Manchester United completed a historic Treble in 1999 when they won the title, FA Cup and Champions League. But they lost in the League Cup to Tottenham in the quarter finals.

City won the Treble in 2023 - also missing out on the League Cup - and that was only the 10th time in history any team in Europe has managed that sweep, showing just how hard it is to pull off. Thus, while the stars may be aligned for Arsenal at this stage, the probability is that they will fall short.

You also have to take into account the number of games and tiredness creeping up. Famously in 1980, Arsenal were in the hunt for major trophies - then ended up exhausted and empty-handed, losing the FA Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup final.

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Of course, Arsenal do boast a big squad and, despite Eberechi Eze having an up and down season, his stats do prove he comes good in May. Since he joined Crystal Palace, his goal involvements in May are 1.3 per game, which is way better than in other months. As he proved against Leverkusen, he can be the ace in the pack.

As it stands, Arsenal don't quite have the title wrapped up - they arguably need four wins, two draws and can afford one defeat from their remaining seven games. That means winning all their home games - Bournemouth, Newcastle, Fulham and Burnley - to help ensure they win their first title in since the 2003-04 Invincibles.

They could even afford to lose at City next month because they have a nine point cushion, even though Pep Guardiola’s men have a game in hand. That would take them to 84 points - and surely the title.

As Arsenal fans filed out of the Emirates on Tuesday night, they were daring to dream. At this stage, you can hardly blame them.

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