Arsenal’s Domestic Struggles Undermine Progress | OneFootball

Champions League run masks domestic shortcomings

Arsenal supporters have enjoyed some high points this season, not least the resounding 4-0 win over Ipswich Town and a momentous triumph against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. Yet beneath the euphoria lies a more sobering reality: this Premier League season was theirs for the taking, and they’ve let it slip away.

The win at Portman Road stretched Arsenal’s unbeaten streak to 11 matches across all competitions—a response of sorts to February’s limp 1-0 defeat at home to West Ham United, which effectively ended any serious title hopes. Since then, consistency has returned, but the urgency to capitalise on a rare drop-off from both Manchester City and Liverpool came too late.

Missed opportunity in an unpredictable campaign

When Liverpool edge closer to the title despite a season of narrow wins and unconvincing performances, Arsenal are left to ponder what might have been. The Merseyside club added just one player—Federico Chiesa, who has barely featured—yet appear set to lift the Premier League trophy. It’s a stinging reality check for a team that should have seized the moment.

Photo: IMAGO

Given their position a year ago, when Mikel Arteta’s men pushed City to the wire, Arsenal appeared poised to inherit the crown should Guardiola’s side falter. And falter they did. City, uncharacteristically off-colour, presented Arsenal with a golden opening.

But Arsenal failed to build on their solid defensive foundation, star quality in Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, and Arteta’s growing influence. Instead, they watched Liverpool reassert control in a title race that has lacked the usual sky-blue dominance. In truth, Arsenal haven’t even applied significant pressure.

Transfer window decisions haunt North London

Injuries have played a part—Saka’s absence for three crucial months was particularly damaging—but competing across multiple fronts demands depth, resilience, and planning. The club’s response last summer was to bring in Raheem Sterling on loan. That was their only attacking reinforcement, in a department crying out for renewal.

They failed to invest in a striker, despite evident interest in Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. “They could have gone bigger than they did for Ollie Watkins, who continues to bang them in from all angles for Aston Villa and was clearly wanted by Arteta, but chose not to.” That decision, or lack of one, has proven costly.

Dropped points in games they should have controlled—against Bournemouth, Fulham, Everton and Brighton—have compounded their issues. Matches that champions win, Arsenal didn’t. Liverpool, by contrast, found ways to grind out results, showcasing a championship mentality.

Long-term progress must now yield silverware

Perhaps it feels harsh to criticise too much. Over the past five seasons, Arsenal have grown steadily—from eighth to second, improving their points tally with each campaign. “Everyone can have an off-season,” but this wasn’t one. This was a missed opportunity.

Should they fall short in the Champions League semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain, the season risks being remembered for what wasn’t rather than what was. Europe’s biggest prize would rewrite the narrative. But if they fall short again, it becomes yet another chapter in a familiar story.

For over two decades, Arsenal have lived in the realm of ‘nearly’. “Perhaps next year is their year. Perhaps it will be Liverpool’s ageing squad that drops off while Pep Guardiola needs another season to fix City. But when it comes to Arsenal and league titles in the past 20 years, it’s been ‘perhaps’ far too often.”

Liverpool will be worthy champions. But this season—more than most—should have belonged to Arsenal. And the most frustrating thing is, they haven’t even come close.