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Perhaps Manchester City and Liverpool cruising to recent title wins made us forget that, deep-set in the making of champions, there will be wobbles, difficulties, forks in the road. As Pep Guardiola would happily tell you now, it’s not supposed to be easy. Just look at Liverpool’s attempts to follow up last season’s serene gambol to the title. The message to Arsenal, to quote the late, great Douglas Adams, is: don’t panic. Mind, Adams also penned this passage in The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy: “What’s that, foregone conclusion then you reckon sir?” said the barman. “Arsenal without a chance?” “No, no,” said Ford, “it’s just that the world’s about to end.”
Another message to Arsenal: the world is unlikely to end if the Gunners don’t win this season’s Premier League. Other factors are more likely to bring about the apocalypse; see Big Website for further details. Though it probably feels imminent, Manchester United’s 3-2 win at the Emirates crystallised the doubts in Mikel Arteta’s team. This is Arsenal’s fourth season in contention and a familiar pattern is forming. In season 2021-22, Arsenal went five games without a win in January. In season 2022-23, Arsenal went four games without a win over January and February. In season 2023-24 Arsenal won once over seven games in December and January. In season 2024-25, they won once in five games in January. In season 2025-26, Arsenal have won just once in four games in January so far, with Leeds to visit next Saturday.
