Arsenal: A history of results after bad starts to the season

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea shoots past Bernd Leno of Arsenal to score the first goal as Rob Holding looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on August 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

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8. Arsenal begin defense of its title with a win followed by four straight draws

The reigning Premier League champions started the new campaign in fine form with a 3-0 victory over Manchester United in the Charity Shield.

The Gunners also won their first match of the 1998-99 season with a 2-1 defeat of Nottingham Forest at Highbury, wiht this victory was followed by four straight, rather pedestrian, draws:

8/22 Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
8/29 Arsenal 0-0 Charlton
9/9 Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal
9/12 Leicester 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal finally won its second game on September 20th, with a 3-0 scoreline against Manchester United.

September finished on a low note, however, as Wenger’s side lost at Sheffield Wednesday 1-0.

The Gunners began October in tenth place with just ten points. Of course, the champions picked up the pace from here. In the end, Arsenal came up short in defense of its title: Manchester United secured the league trophy with 79 points to the Gunners’ 78.

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United went on to win the FA Cup and the Champions League as well.