Is this season a failure if Arsenal don’t win the Premier League?

As the Premier League campaign comes to a close, and the plot thickens in the title race, questions have been asked on whether this season should be deemed a failure if Arsenal don’t lift the trophy.

After recent draws to Liverpool and West Ham, Arteta’s side has gifted Manchester City the role of being favourites ((according to Opta Analyst) in the title race. With the two sides facing each other before the season comes to a close, the winners of that game have been tipped to win the title. But if Arsenal does see defeat and surrender their top spot, will it be enough to deem this season a failure?

Is this season a failure if Arsenal don’t win the Premier League?

If Arsenal lose the league title, this season would have been for nothing.

As Rio Ferdinand has explained on his YouTube channel (Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE), if Arsenal finish second, it would be arguable that Manchester United have had a more successful season than Arteta’s side. With the Red Devils winning the Carabao Cup and remaining in the FA Cup and Europa League, Ten Hag’s side will have stayed in all competitions for longer, while having a trophy to count for it. A top-four finish is likely, too.

Arsenal are out of every competition so they can focus on the league, and if they don’t win it, what was the point in the surrender?

After possessing an eight-point lead over the reigning champions, if the trophy is not lifted by Martin Ødegaard, the side will have bottled it massively. After dropping points to poor sides, such as a relegation-fighting West Ham and Everton, the team and the fans will be disappointed at their inability to retain their large gap on Manchester City throughout the season.

This season has been nothing short of a surprise for fans and teams alike. To be leading with just over a month to go with such an inexperienced, young team has been great for Gooners to see. However, next year, teams will get stronger and Arsenal’s surprise factor will lose its magic. It really does look to be now or never for the Gunners.

The frustrating part of Arsenal’s failures so far is that it has been self-inflicted by unforced mistakes. Poor defending from Everton’s corner at Goodison Park saw Arteta’s side lose 1-0, while another set-piece and a goal from kickoff required a 97th-minute winner against Bournemouth to win 3-2. These costly errors may be the reason that the title is handed to Manchester City.

Why the season is not a failure if Arsenal don’t win the Premier League

Before the season got underway, Arsenal were expected to fight for Champions League football again after missing out to north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, last season. Now, if Arsenal gain all three points against Southampton, Champions League football is secured with six games to go. It is a major improvement from last season and should be treated as such.

Whether the league is won or not, Arsenal will hear the Champions League anthem for the first time since 2016/17. After Unai Emery failed to bring Arsenal this privilege during his tenure, Mikel Arteta has had an amazing season, allowing the Gunners to play against European’s elite teams.

Looking away from competitions and trophies, Arteta’s 4-3-3 fluidity pleases the eye. With summer recruits Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jesus, Mikel Arteta looks to have built his ideal system, with an inverted wing-back and a deep-lying forward, assisting the wingers. The high tempo and technical ability of this young side will be hungry for success next season.

Arsenal have one of the youngest squads in the league, and with age on their side, Arsenal’s project does not seem to be slowing down soon. With young players like Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba yet to reach their full potential, Arsenal will have the ability to fight for trophies in seasons to come.

This impressive season will attract world-class talent. With the history this club has, coupled with the current project, talent from Europe’s top leagues will find it very hard to turn down Arsenal. With Champions League football coming back to the Emirates next season, Arteta will look to boost his squad and with the state of the club, on and off the pitch, Edu and the hierarchy will be able to sign some elite players.

The culture of the club has been unrecognisable from recent seasons. The solidarity from players and fans alike has provided hope and belief for the title charge and the future. The incoming of the new pre-match song, “North London Forever”, by Louis Dunford has shown the values that Arteta and his team are trying to bring.

This season has shown that the players and staff have backing from the fans and hierarchy no matter their form or shortcomings.

In summary…

With crunch time on the horizon, there is no doubt that Arsenal have surpassed the expectations of the footballing world. Any Arsenal fan would have bitten your hand off if they knew they would be in a title race this season, and seeing the trophy come to the Emirates is nothing short of a bonus. Everything about 2022/23 has been promising; the football, the culture, the fans and the hierarchy. It has been impressive to watch the progression in all these departments.

The whole world seems to be against the Gunners in the title charge currently, but they have proven the rivals wrong consistently throughout this season. Now, they just have to do it again. And in the words of George Graham:

"“It’s fine that people hate us. It’s part of our history.”"