The Problem Stopping Arsenal from Winning Their First Premier League Title in 22 Years

Arsenal have been in the mix of Premier League frontrunners for four seasons now.

Currently sitting two points clear at the top of the table, they are in pole position to win their first Premier League title in 22 years.

But things could be so much better for the Gunners – and to win the title they need to overcome a major problem: their inability to win big games, writes Oisín Cahalane.

What are the big games where Arsenal have dropped points?

Arsenal have failed to win five league games this season.

Draws against Chelsea, Sunderland and Manchester City, and defeats by Aston Villa and Liverpool, leave them on 33 points out of a possible 45.

From these results, a pattern emerges: Arsenal demonstrate a consistent inability to win big games – namely against City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Villa.

Defining a ‘big game’ as one against a recent title winner (Man City, Liverpool), or an at-the-time top-four opponent (Chelsea, Villa), Arsenal have won precisely zero this season – taking two points from a possible 12.

Games in which Arsenal have dropped Premier League points

Arsenal are missing something in big games

Usually, when a team wins the Premier League, there are results that can be looked back on as ‘a mark of champions’.

Arsenal are yet to demonstrate an assertive performance like that in the league, and they have had ample opportunity.

Early in the season, a big win away to Liverpool, the title holders, or at home to the emphatic Man City would have said: “Look at us. We’re setting out our stall early and we’re the team to beat.”

Instead, Arsenal have relied on a total collapse from the champions, and City’s slow start, to build only a slender lead at the top of the table.

Compare this form to Liverpool’s last campaign – they lost only one game against the top four, and it was after they were crowned champions.

Arsenal falling short in more big games

Further opportunities to take maximum points were squandered away to Chelsea and Villa.

The draw at Stamford Bridge was poor. Arsenal were up against ten men for almost an hour and only managed one goal.

However, the Villa result is one that should really concern Gunners fans.

In April 2024, Arsenal lost 0-2 at home to Aston Villa, who took the lead late in the 84th minute.

Arsenal’s succeeding five-match win streak was not enough to make up ground on Manchester City and they finished runners-up by two points.

That home defeat by Aston Villa cost them.

And it’s happened again. Arsenal lost late on to their bogey team Aston Villa while challenging for the Premier League title.

This begs the question – what has changed for Arsenal in recent years? They still appear to fall at the same hurdles, and it could cost them another league title. This year it could even cost Mikel Arteta his job.

What about the Sunderland draw?

In a way this result is the most forgivable of the five.

It was of course disappointing to concede late on, but Sunderland are unbeaten at home this season, and are challenging to be the best promoted side in Premier League history.

It’s expected that even champions will have a disappointing result, and dropping points to mid-table Sunderland is acceptable in a 38-game campaign – as long as a pattern of similar results does not emerge.

What’s not acceptable is a pattern of dropped points to your nearest rivals.

Think back to the drama of 2012, when Ji Dong-won scored a last-gasp winner for Sunderland against title challengers Man City.

City still won the league that season, their first in 66 years, but the difference between them and Arsenal is that City still did the business in the big games – beating runners-up Man Utd both home and away.

Are Arsenal showing title-winning form?

Arsenal are averaging 2.2 points per game. This means they are on track after 15 games to accumulate approximately 83 points this campaign.

The last time a team won the Premier League with less than 84 points was ten seasons ago, when Leicester City were crowned champions with 81 points.

This suggests that Arsenal are going to need to start winning those big games, and soon.

How can Arsenal start winning big games?

Arsenal are by no means condemned to another year of second best.

They have had impressive victories this season. Winning their opening game of the season at Old Trafford is always a great result, and they steamrolled Tottenham in the North London Derby. Their European form has been excellent too.

Injuries have played a part. There’s a list of key players who did not feature in big games where Arsenal dropped points, including captain Martin Odegaard, centre-back duo William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, and Kai Havertz, who was the club’s top scorer last season.

Lastly, Arsenal have only dropped points at home once this campaign. They have played their share of tricky away fixtures that include Anfield, Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford.

With the Gunners yet to host the likes of Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool – and key players returning from injury – maybe their home form will be the key to their first Premier League title in 22 years.