After a dramatic 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers — in which they squandered a commanding 2-0 lead against one of the weakest sides in the league — Arsenal’s bid for the 2025–26 English Premier League trophy shows clear signs of vulnerability. While they remain at the top of the standings, recent results and underlying weaknesses raise serious questions about whether Mikel Arteta’s side can hold off title rivals and finally break their long drought without a league crown.
1. Losing Control of Matches They Should Win
One of the most glaring issues for Arsenal this season has been their inability to consistently close out games. The comeback by Wolves — a team sitting at the bottom of the table with just one league win — saw Arsenal surrender a 2-0 lead late on, a shocking collapse that drew criticism from manager Arteta and pundits alike.
Arteta openly admitted that his players “have not been consistent over the last few months”, acknowledging that the team’s second-half performance at Molineux fell well below the standards needed to win a Premier League title.
Most worrying is that this isn’t an isolated issue — Arsenal have now dropped points from winning positions multiple times in recent matches, including a draw against Brentford just days before the Wolves game.
2. Defensive Slips at Crucial Moments
Defensively, Arsenal’s overall numbers have been strong this season, but timing and concentration at key moments have let them down. Against Wolves, mistakes in both defensive positioning and communication led directly to the comeback goals, with a late mix-up inside the penalty area gifting the hosts their equaliser.
These kinds of errors are costly in a tight title race, particularly when rivals like Manchester City remain relentless and poised to pounce on any slip-ups.
3. Momentum Shift and Title Pressure
Before the Wolves game, Arsenal had built a healthy lead at the top of the table. But dropping points in back-to-back league matches — and against teams they were expected to beat — has boosted the confidence of their rivals and tightened the title fight.
Statistical projections from analytics models also show Arsenal’s title probability dipping after their unwanted slip, with Manchester City closing the gap, aided by their game in hand — meaning City could be just two points behind if they win their outstanding fixture.
4. Inconsistency Across the Season
Arsenal’s current campaign has been a roller coaster, with runs of good form followed by unexpected setbacks. Their drop in form in 2026 — having won only two of their last seven league games — has alarmed fans and analysts alike.
If a team aspiring to win the Premier League cannot maintain high performance levels across all phases of the season, especially during critical runs, it undermines its ability to finish strongly when the pressure is greatest.
5. Historical Pattern of Near-Misses
Even before this season, Arsenal’s recent history shows a worrying trend: multiple runner-up finishes without a league title. Players and former greats have pointed out that while the squad is talented, translating that into silverware has so far eluded them.
William Saliba, one of Arsenal’s defensive leaders, has publicly urged his teammates to “step up,” highlighting that finishing second repeatedly isn’t the mark of champions.
6. Strength of the Competition
The Premier League never sleeps. While Arsenal have enjoyed long spells atop the table this season, rivals — especially Manchester City — have the depth, experience, and knockout mentality often needed in title races. With matches against direct competitors to come, Arsenal’s margin for error is shrinking.
Conclusion: A Title Still Possible — but Far From Guaranteed
Despite commanding much of the season and still leading the standings, Arsenal’s slip against Wolves and ongoing lapses underline several vulnerabilities:
- A lack of consistency in protecting leads.
- Defensive lapses at decisive moments.
- Pressure mounting from rivals with games in hand.
- A psychological hurdle rooted in recent runner-up finishes.
These factors combine to make Arsenal’s path to a first Premier League title in over two decades far from straightforward. As the season enters its business end, every match — especially against fellow contenders — will feel like a cup final. With City breathing down their neck and the growing spectre of dropped points against unexpected opposition, some observers now question whether Arsenal can finally seal the breakthrough and end their long wait for domestic glory
