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Arsenal’s 20-Year Premier League Title Quest: Overcoming Injuries, Fixture Congestion, and Striker Challenges to Finally Break the Drought Under Mikel Arteta’s Leadership in 2024/25.
For over two decades, Arsenal fans have been waiting to see their team lift the Premier League trophy again. Since their last triumph in 2004, when the Gunners famously went unbeaten, the club has experienced its share of ups and downs, from multiple FA Cup victories to challenging runs in European competitions. Yet, the Premier League title remains out of reach.
As the 2024/25 starts to flow, one question is on every Arsenal fan’s mind: Is this the season they finally end the drought?
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Thierry Henry of Arsenal lifts the Premier League trophy after the match between Arsenal and Leicester City in the Premier League at Highbury on May 15, 2004 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Near Misses and Progress
Last season, Arsenal came tantalisingly close to breaking their title curse, finishing just two points behind Manchester City.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal FC and Sevil FC at Emirates Stadium on November 08, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
They set a club record with 28 wins and scored 91 goals, showcasing their strength across the board.
🌶️ The 2023/24 English Premier League Title Race is Getting Heated!
🏟️ Next-Manchester City vs Liverpool#PremierLeague|#Arsenal|#Liverpool pic.twitter.com/Q8FPZQoomG
— FIFA World Cup Stats (@alimo_philip) March 9, 2024
“We’ve been the best team in the league in almost every metric,” Mikel Arteta said, reflecting on their performance. Under his leadership, Arsenal has gone from mid-table finishes to genuine title contenders. However, despite their clear progress, there are still a few hurdles they must overcome to go all the way.
Challenges Ahead
As Arsenal prepares for another title push, three key challenges could define their season: injuries, a congested fixture list, and the need for a prolific goal-scorer.
- Injuries to Key Players: Injuries have been a recurring problem for Arsenal. Last season, they lost Gabriel Jesus for the first half of the campaign and William Saliba for the second half, which severely impacted their title challenge. Now, with captain Martin Ødegaard also sidelined, Arteta will be hoping to get his key players back and keep them fit if they are to stay in the title race.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 01: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal battles for possession with Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on October 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
- Fixture Congestion: With the new Champions League format guaranteeing more games, Arsenal’s schedule is tighter than ever. Balancing these extra European commitments with their Premier League campaign will require careful squad rotation. But injuries could make that even more difficult.
- Lack of a 20-Goal Striker: While Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka have been reliable, Arsenal lacks a striker who can consistently score 20 or more goals in a season. With Manchester City boasting Erling Haaland, who can score 50 goals in a campaign, Arsenal may need someone to step up and deliver the kind of goal-scoring consistency required to win the title.
Strengthening the Defence
On the defensive side, Arsenal has made huge strides. Last season, they conceded just 29 goals, the fourth-best record in the league, and had the lowest expected goals conceded in Europe’s top five leagues. The centre-back pairing of Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba has been rock solid, and with the addition of Riccardo Calafiori at left-back, Arsenal’s defence looks even stronger this season.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 08: William Saliba and Gabriel of Arsenal celebrate following their sides victory after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on October 08, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
A strong defence will be essential if Arsenal hopes to keep up with Manchester City in the title race. Their defensive stability gives them the foundation they need to compete, even through the physical demands of a long and challenging season.
Arsenal have scored 25 goals from set pieces since the start of last season, 9 more than Man City have managed in that period.
Forget Haaland, Arsenal have set pieces. 💫⚽️ pic.twitter.com/MpboUEYBOQ
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 22, 2024
Depth and Key Players
Arsenal’s squad depth, once considered a weakness, has improved significantly. Players like Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka have stepped up, while the midfield—anchored by Declan Rice—offers Arteta plenty of options.
Declan Rice of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Atalanta BC and Arsenal FC at Gewiss Stadium on September 19, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The club’s academy is also producing exciting young talents, with players like Ethan Nwaneri waiting for their chance to shine.
Still, squad depth will only take Arsenal so far. The form and fitness of key players like Saka, Ødegaard, and Jesus will be critical to sustaining their title challenge. Saka, in particular, remains the team’s talisman, and his performances could very well determine how far Arsenal goes this season.
Maintaining Momentum
Momentum is always crucial in a title race, and Arsenal’s performances against top opponents have shown they are up for the fight. Their recent victories over Tottenham and hard-fought draw against Manchester City highlight their resilience and ability to win tough matches.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 28: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal (left) battles with Mickey van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 28, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
The closing weeks of the season, featuring games against Liverpool, Newcastle, and Southampton, will likely be decisive.
Arteta’s Leadership
Mikel Arteta has been the driving force behind Arsenal’s revival. His relentless work ethic and attention to detail have turned the club from underperformers into genuine title contenders. Ahead of the new season, Arteta stressed the need for even greater effort: “We need more from everybody, including me. The higher our standards, the better our chances of winning the Premier League.”
This is togetherness. This feels like Arsenal ❤️ pic.twitter.com/OldejlzvQf
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 28, 2023
His passion and leadership will be key as Arsenal navigates the inevitable ups and downs of a long season.
The Final Verdict: Can Arsenal End the Drought?
So, can Arsenal finally break their 20-year Premier League title drought? The answer is cautiously optimistic. Under Arteta, they’ve made significant strides, and their blend of defensive strength and attacking flair makes them serious contenders.
But dethroning Manchester City won’t be easy. Injuries, fixture congestion, and the lack of a prolific striker remain significant challenges. However, if Arteta can keep his squad fit and maintain their momentum, Arsenal has what it takes to make a serious run at the title and bring the Premier League trophy back to North London.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 17: Arsenal players enter a huddle prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on December 17, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
