Premier League Analysis: Are Arsenal’s Title Hopes Faltering?

For most of the 2025/26 season, Arsenal’s title hopes have looked largely positive as they have topped the Premier League table, with their closest competitors sometimes struggling.

However, in recent matches, Arsenal’s title hopes have decreased somewhat. Although they still top the table, why have their hopes decreased, and will they remain at the top?

Arsenal’s Title Hopes: The Recent Downfall

In their last six matches, Arsenal have drawn two and lost one. In comparison, their closest competitors, Manchester City, have hit some form, only losing one of their previous six matches.

Before their recent loss, Arsenal had only lost once previously this season, away at Anfield in August. In addition to this, the Gunners have suffered a multitude of injuries, particularly in defensive positions.

Although significant investment in defensive positions has eased the potential impact of defensive losses somewhat, it is wholly evident that this factor has had an impact on Arsenal’s title hopes somewhat recently.

In addition to this, the third-placed team in the Premier League, somewhat unexpectedly, have also impacted Arsenal’s title hopes, winning their last nine fixtures and closing the gap on top spot. Under Unai Emery, Aston Villa were the team to beat Arsenal recently and have gone on a stellar run of form, propelling themselves up the table.

For Arsenal’s title hopes, the most recent fixture against Wolves may be a concern to fans in addition to these factors. Although the Gunners were victorious in the fixture, the manner in which they obtained victory was deemed to be ‘lucky’ by many, having benefitted from two own goals to win the match 2-1.

When taking these factors into account and analysing the impact they may have on Arsenal’s title hopes, it is notable that there is an increased amount of pressure on Arsenal, in comparison to previous stages of the season. The Gunners still have a second match against both Aston Villa and Manchester City to play, with both teams potentially taking top spot should they defeat Arsenal again.

The pressure is also heightened due to the fact that there are only two points between Arsenal and Manchester City, indicating that the Gunners’ form has to be good to ensure Arsenal’s title hopes remain positive. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have previously hit a run of form in the second half of the season, something which Mikel Arteta’s men will have to contend with.