Almost, but not quite. For the second consecutive season, Arsenal finds themselves trailing in Manchester City’s wake, as Pep Guardiola’s unstoppable winning machine cruises to yet another victory, including a recent 3-1 triumph over West Ham.
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has undoubtedly progressed significantly, yet they’re left pondering missed opportunities once again. Despite City finishing on 91 points, slightly below their usual winning average, Arsenal’s near-perfect second-half performance wasn’t enough to offset earlier mistakes. Let’s delve into the matches that dashed their title hopes…
Arsenal 2-2 Fulham, August 26:
A season opener marred by defensive woes as Arteta’s decision to sideline Gabriel Magalhaes proved costly. A makeshift defense, coupled with errors from Partey, Saka, and Ramsdale, led to a disappointing draw against Fulham.
Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal, October 21:
An anticipated victory turned into a struggle as Arsenal delivered their poorest performance of the season against Chelsea. While a late comeback salvaged a point, it was clear that more was needed from the Gunners.
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham, December 28:
Once again, Arsenal’s Achilles heel emerged, this time in the form of defensive lapses and missed opportunities. West Ham capitalized on errors to secure a decisive victory, further dimming Arsenal’s title hopes.
Man City 0-0 Arsenal, March 31:
A stalemate at the Etihad left Arsenal needing perfection in their remaining games. While a goalless draw kept them in contention, it missed the chance to unsettle City’s confidence.
Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa, April 14:
Despite dominating the first half, Arsenal faltered against Aston Villa, unable to capitalize on their chances. Tactical changes from Villa and missed opportunities led to a devastating defeat, marking a significant setback in their title pursuit.
