Arsenal have made huge progress under Mikel Arteta with or without Premier League title

There's a very good chance this Arsenal team doesn't end up winning the Premier League title.

Fortunately, I'm merely referring to the 2023/24 iteration of Mikel Arteta's Gunners. Development is very rarely linear in this field, but Arsenal's trajectory under their Spanish coach points towards inevitable glory.

Victory on the final day of the season against Everton will take their points tally up to 89 - a remarkable haul only bettered by the Invincibles during the Premier League era and one which would've been enough to win the title in 14 seasons since 1995/96.

If they don't end up winning the league, this Arsenal team can count themselves incredibly hard done by. Not only have they racked up an impressive points tally, but they've been remarkably assured and dominant while doing so. The current Gunners have broken club records for wins and goals scored in a single Premier League season.

A 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday means Arsenal will finish unbeaten against the so-called 'Big Six', while Arteta's men are also on course to record the best defensive record in the division. The Spaniard has evolved the Gunners into a juggernaut boasting the collective mental strength to be champions.

If only they weren't facing up against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

These Sky Blues, man. We get it, Liverpool fans, we really do. They crush your soul. The Reds previously went back and forth with City before Arsenal's sudden emergence in 2022/23, with the Gunners enduring back-to-back title races with Guardiola's all-conquering outfit.

Arsenal have lost just once in 2024. City haven't been beaten since 6 December. Despite almost constantly having to respond to victories from their title rivals, the champions have rattled off seven straight Premier League wins - all of which have come by at least two goals. They're strolling to an unprecedented fourth-straight league title.

Arsenal's ground-out victory at Old Trafford means they're still in the hunt and the title race will go down to the final day, but wins for City at Tottenham and West Ham will see them crowned champions... again.

There's not much else Arsenal could've done. And before you chime in with your 'beat Aston Villa at home' quip, I think any supporter would've taken a run of 15 league wins from 17 after a dodgy festive period. They've been immense, and while they did lose at home to Villa in April, you cannot accuse this Arsenal team of throwing the title away, which would've been a fairer accusation last season despite their injury woes.

Arsenal's management of the 'run-in' this time around speaks volumes about their impressive evolution. The Gunners have certainly benefitted from a lack of injury absences, but the club shouldn't be criticised for assembling a youthful squad with stellar availability. Arteta's side have been asked to win at Wolves, Brighton, Tottenham, and Man Utd over the past six weeks to maintain their title push; barely did they blink once.

Arsenal have won with unerring efficiency reminiscent of their incredible rivals, and their sustained brilliance means securing 49 points from a possible 54 available during the club's final 18 games of the season likely won't be enough. City have taken what's required to win a league title into a new realm, and this brilliant Arsenal team are currently feeling the consequences.

However, even if Sunday does end with a lap of appreciation at the Emirates in the absence of silverware, supporters have little to no right to feel downcast. It's just a matter of when, not if, with this Arsenal team. Their time will come.

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