Arsenal's Eternal Tease: Near Misses, Heartbreaks, and the 2025/26 Shot at Glory
Viktor Gyökeres' late double secured Arsenal's nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League
For Arsenal fans, the Premier League title has been the ultimate mirage—always shimmering on the horizon, yet slipping away just when it feels within grasp. The Gunners have flirted with glory in recent years, only to fumble at the finish line, leaving supporters with a cocktail of "what ifs" and weary optimism.
But in this 2025/26 season, with a commanding lead and bookies already paying out bets, could this finally be the year Mikel Arteta's men break the curse? Let's dissect the near-misses of yesteryear and why this campaign has everyone buzzing with cautious excitement.
The Heartbreaking History: Where It All Went Wrong
Arsenal's drought stretches back to their invincible 2003/04 triumph, but the real agony has been the close calls over the last three seasons—each one a masterclass in self-sabotage.
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2022/23: The Epic Collapse – Arsenal led the league for a staggering 248 days, building an eight-point cushion over Manchester City by April. But then came the meltdown: a run of just three wins in their final nine games, including draws against Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton, and a crushing 4-1 loss to City. They finished five points adrift, with injuries, fatigue, and defensive lapses cited as culprits. It was the longest any team has topped the table without winning it—a stat that still haunts the Emirates.
2023/24: So Close, Yet So Far – Rebounding with steel, Arsenal pushed City to the wire, finishing just two points behind. They dropped points in key fixtures, like home defeats to West Ham and Aston Villa, where poor finishing shone through despite dominating possession (e.g., 2.73 xG vs. West Ham but zero goals). The lack of a clinical striker was the glaring flaw—Arsenal scored plenty but wasted chances that could've sealed the deal. Captain Martin Ødegaard later called these scars "fuel" for future bids.
2024/25: Another Runner-Up Medal – Finishing second again, this time to Liverpool, who romped to a 10-point lead. Arsenal's consistency improved, but mid-season stumbles—like draws against mid-table sides and a shock loss to Manchester United—eroded their edge. The pattern? Nerves crept in during high-stakes moments, turning potential wins into costly draws.
These fumbles share common threads: late-season dips in form, squad depth issues under pressure, and an inability to convert dominance into points when it mattered most. As one BBC analysis put it, Arsenal have been "the great pretenders," always bridesmaids but never the bride.
This Season's Twist: A Lead That's Hard to Ignore
Fast-forward to February 2026, and the narrative feels different. After 24-25 matchweeks, Arsenal sit atop the table with 53-56 points, a six-point lead over Manchester City (47) and seven over Aston Villa (46).
Their defense is impenetrable (fewest goals conceded), the attack is firing (thanks to summer signings like Viktor Gyökeres), and they're favorites in all four competitions—quadruple odds at 20/1.
Bookmakers like Paddy Power and Ladbrokes are so convinced they've already paid out on Arsenal bets, crowning them champs with 13-14 games left. Opta's supercomputer gives them a whopping 91% chance of lifting the trophy, up from 84% pre-weekend, while City's odds have drifted to +175-+450.
Recent wins, like a 3-0 dismantling of Sunderland, have widened the gap, but City's dramatic 2-1 comeback at Anfield against Liverpool keeps the pressure on—if City beats Fulham midweek, it's down to three points.
The Big Question: Will History Repeat or Be Rewritten?
Here's where the curiosity builds: Arsenal have learned from those scars, with Arteta emphasizing mental resilience and squad rotation.
They've navigated tough patches better this year, bouncing back from a rare loss to United with conviction. But lurking doubts remain—can they handle the Etihad clash with City? Will nerves strike in April's crunch games against Brentford or Villa? If Arsenal falter now, with this lead and momentum, it'll be unforgivable. As Ødegaard said, past misses are "fuel," not fear.
Yet, City's habit of late surges (remember 2022/23?) and Villa's surprise package add spice. This isn't just a race—it's a redemption arc. Will the Gunners finally cross the line, or add another chapter to their tragic tome? With 14 games left, the drama is only heating up.
Stay tuned; this could be the season that ends the wait.
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