By As the Premier League season draws to a close, Arsenal find themselves in a familiar position – on the brink of an exceptional campaign, yet potentially falling short of the ultimate prize. The consolation for the Gunners lies in the fact that they are not alone in this predicament. Liverpool, too, have experienced the agony of amassing impressive points totals, only to be pipped to the title by Pep Guardiola’s relentless Manchester City side.
In 2019 and 2022, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team accumulated 97 and 92 points respectively, losing just one and two games in each season. Yet, on both occasions, they were denied the title by the narrowest of margins, with City claiming the crown by a single point. Now, Arsenal are poised to join this exclusive club of near-misses, should results on the final day unfold as expected.
What is remarkable is how accustomed we have become to City’s unprecedented levels of consistency and excellence. Guardiola’s team has normalized the abnormal, making the extraordinary seem routine.
If Arsenal win their final game against Everton, they will have recorded an impressive 16 victories from their last 18 matches. However, City need only to overcome a West Ham side with little to play for to secure their fourth consecutive title, having won their last nine games. Last season, they saw off Arsenal’s challenge by winning 12 straight matches when it mattered most.
Guardiola acknowledges the fine margins that have defined these title races, praising the efforts of Liverpool and Arsenal. He recognizes that reaching the final game with the title still in the balance is a testament to their magnificence, even if the eventual gap between first and second may appear significant.
While it is inevitable that City’s dominance will eventually wane, there are no immediate signs of a slowdown. The departure of Guardiola, along with key figures like Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano, could prompt a significant reset at the Etihad. However, such speculation is merely clutching at straws.
The stark reality is that City are on the verge of an unprecedented fourth consecutive title, a feat never achieved in English football.
In the face of City’s relentless superiority, Arsenal’s challenge this season has been a welcome respite from what could have been a dull procession. Without the Gunners’ spirited pursuit, City’s dominance would have continued largely unchallenged, as has been the case in other European leagues like Germany, Italy, Spain, and France.
Some have labeled this season’s title race as boring, with resentment towards City’s sustained success, particularly in light of the unresolved Premier League charges relating to alleged financial irregularities. However, the presence of three teams in the race until recently has made it far from dull. The margins between first and second in other major European leagues pale in comparison to the Premier League.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who witnessed City’s final day triumph over Liverpool in 2019 as Guardiola’s assistant, admits to the emotional rollercoaster of such moments. He cited the example of Tottenham’s Son Heung-min, whose missed chance against City on Tuesday could have handed Arsenal the advantage heading into the final day.
Despite the disappointment, Arsenal have much to be proud of and look forward to. Arteta has assembled a young, talented squad with an average age of just over 25, primed for future success. The Gunners’ attractiveness as a destination for top players is evident, with Arteta confident in his ability to attract talent and improve his current squad.
As Liverpool face a potentially traumatic transition and Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham grapple with their challenges, Arsenal appear best positioned to mount a sustained challenge to City’s hegemony.
For now, though, the football world awaits the finale of another enthralling Premier League season. While City’s dominance may be the prevailing narrative, Arsenal’s valiant pursuit has provided a captivating subplot.
As Guardiola’s men stand on the brink of history, the Gunners can take solace in the knowledge that they have played their part in pushing the champions to their limits, even if the ultimate prize remains tantalizingly out of reach.
Credit: Opinion of Ian Ladyman (Dailymail.com)
