Across the last three and a half years, Arsenal have become somewhat known for "bottling" their Premier League title challenge. On January 25th, did their 2025/26 assault on English football's summit also start to fall apart?
On that Sunday afternoon, the Gunners hosted rivals Manchester United at the Emirates and were huge favourites to pick up the victory and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points. Instead, Mikel Arteta's side were stunned, with stunners from Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha handing the Red Devils a famous 3-2 victory.
Was this the moment that Arsenal's title challenge began to unravel? Well, let's take a look at these three results from their last three failed attempts to finally end their title drought, and you can be the judge.
2024/25: Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Liverpool were the dominant force in the Premier League last season, something the Reds have failed to replicate this term. The Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool odds back in December made Arne Slot's side an even-money favourite to pick up the win in North London, and they duly lived up to the billing, winning 2-1. However, a dismal run of form throughout the autumn has already put them out of contention.
Websites allowing fans to place an English Premier League bet currently list the Reds as a whopping 100/1 outsider to win the title this year. But if we rewind the clock 12 months, things were much different.
Liverpool already had a huge lead by matchday 26, but Arsenal still had faint hopes of reeling them in. Then, the Gunners were stunned 1-0 at home to lowly West Ham, with Jarrod Bowen's first-half strike securing a precious three points for the Hammers. Barely 24 hours later, the Reds would win 2-0 away at Manchester City, pretty much wrapping up the title with months to spare. Slot's men would duly finish ten points clear while Arteta's side had to live with a third straight runners-up finish.
2023/24: Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa
The year before, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City were locked in a three-way battle for the ages. But once more, the Gunners were unable to keep up with the relentless pace. They headed into their matchday 32 clash at home to Aston Villa well and truly in the title fight; however, another home defeat would curtail their hopes.
Late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins sealed a 2-0 away win for the Villains, allowing Manchester City to take the lead of the title race. It was a lead they wouldn't relinquish, winning all of their remaining games to nick the title by just two points on the final day of the season.
2022/23: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal headed into the penultimate month of the 2023/24 season with an eight-point lead over title rivals Manchester City, but that lead would evaporate in just three games, beginning with a trip to Anfield. The Gunners raced into a 2-0 lead against Liverpool on Merseyside with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, seemingly setting them on the way to three massive points. Then, second-half goals from Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino ensured that the spoils were shared, setting in motion Arsenal's collapse.
A week later, the gunners threw away another two-goal lead at West Ham to once again draw 2-2. They then drew 3-3 with rock bottom Southampton. A 4-1 drubbing away at eventual treble winners Manchester City ended their hopes once and for all, setting the stage for the position we find ourselves in today: Will Arsenal bottle it once again?
