Arsenal remains one of the most historical clubs in English football, but it has now been over two decades since they last had their name on the Premier League trophy. Their most recent triumph came back in the 2003–04 season, an achievement immortalised in football history as The Invincibles. Back then Arsenal were managed by Arsène Wenger with the side completing the entire league campaign without a single defeat. Their league campaign consisted of 26 wins, 12 draws and zero losses finishing with a staggering 90 points showing a level of consistency and swagger that has rarely been matched since.
The spine of that team is graved into the memory of football fans, they had Patrick Vieira commanding the midfield, Thierry Henry at the peak of his powers scoring 30 league goals, Sol Campbell and Kolo Touré anchoring the centre of defence and lets not forget the creative brilliance of Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg operating on each wings. They were tactically groundbreaking too, performing with a trio of technical style, physical presence and mental resilience making a formidable force that season. Wenger’s Arsenal were not just champions they were revolutionaries which in turn changed perceptions of English football.
Since that brilliant period of the club’s history, Arsenal’s title drought has been well documented. The club transitioned from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium in 2006 which was a move that reshaped its financial landscape for years to come. While Wenger kept Arsenal consistently competitive, often finishing in the top four and adding domestic cups in various seasons the club struggled to compete for league titles against the financial rise of Chelsea, Manchester City and later the resurgence of Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
Since the arrival of Mikel Arteta in 2019 however Arsenal have undergone a striking revival. His tenure has seen a sweeping rebuild in both style and squad identity. Young talents such as England’s Bukayo Saka, France’s Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba and then Norwegian Martin Ødegaard have been developed or acquired with a clear long-term vision. The team has also added experience and leadership in key areas which has created a balanced and adaptable squad.
Arsenal pushed Manchester City hard in the 2022–23 season, leading the league for the majority of the campaign before ultimately falling short to Manchester City. The following season saw them remain at the top end of the table again which signaled that their resurgence is not a fleeting moment but a genuine step towards renewed title contention. Their improvements in defensive solidity, tactical versatility and squad depth have brought them closer to the level required to dethrone one of the most dominant teams in Premier League history.
So, will this be the season when Arsenal finally win the Premier League again? While certainty is not used in the same sentence as football, the club is unquestionably closer than it has been in many years. They have a young, hungry squad which has a clearly defined tactical identity and a manager whose leadership as an ex player has transformed the club’s culture. The margins at the top remain incredibly tight especially with Manchester City’s consistency but Arsenal are firmly back in the conversation this season. Last season’s winners Liverpool don’t look the same as last season and are sitting midtable table after a dozen matches.
Whether this resurgence culminates in the long-awaited league triumph remains to be seen, but for the first time in a generation, Arsenal supporters can look ahead with genuine belief that the drought might finally be approaching its end.