Arsenal are on the cusp of winning the Premier League and the Champions League
Arsenal are standing on the brink of history. Bukayo Saka’s lone goal against Atletico Madrid on 5 May secured the Gunners’ first Champions League final spot in two decades. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s 3-3 deadlock with Everton has put the Premier League title race back in Arsenal’s hands. But as any fan at the Emirates will tell you, having the chance is one thing, and actually crossing the finish line is another. Three specific pitfalls could still wreck everything Mikel Arteta’s squad has worked for all year.
1. Letting points slip against struggling teams
That chaotic 2-2 draw with bottom-of-the-table Wolves back in February nearly ruined the season by giving Man City a massive opening. Looking ahead, Arsenal go to West Ham on 10 May, host Burnley on the 17th, and wrap things up at Crystal Palace on 24 May. All three opponents are desperate for points for different reasons. West Ham are fighting for survival, and the atmosphere at the London Stadium is always hostile. Arsenal have to approach these games with the same grit they showed in the Champions League semi-finals; past seasons have proven they can’t afford a single moment of complacency.
2. Switching off right after taking the lead
A frustrating habit of conceding almost immediately after scoring has haunted Arsenal throughout this run. Even Patrick Vieira pointed it out, and it hasn’t escaped the fans’ notice either. Too often, the team lose their defensive shape the second the ball hits the net, leaving gaps that smart teams exploit on the break. With PSG waiting in the Champions League final on 30 May, that kind of lapse will be punished instantly.
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3. Letting the squad run out of steam
Injuries and suspensions took a heavy toll on the 2024–25 campaign, much like the issues that derailed the title charge the year before. With three league matches and a massive European final packed into just 24 days, Arteta has to be brave with his rotations. He needs to trust his bench players to step up. If the team show up in Budapest on 30 May with heavy legs, they will essentially be handing their opponents a head start they haven’t earned.
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Arsenal go into these final weeks with a real sense of belief, and after the season they have had, they have every right to feel that way.
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