How Arsenal’s summer transfer business set up Premier League title race collapse

Arsenal had heard the jibe from fans of a Wigan team in the lower half of League One and a Wolves side marooned at the bottom of the Premier League . “Second again” may have become part of the banter-sphere. This time, though, the danger is that they end up second in a one-horse race .

Defeat at Manchester City left them still top and with what looks like an easier fixture list , but with Pep Guardiola ’s team on the charge and Mikel Arteta ’s on a run of four defeats against English clubs. They produced their best performance at the Etihad Stadium at that time . The pragmatist in Arteta still has no points, whereas one would have kept the distance from his former club.

Declan Rice’s on-pitch message at full time – “it’s not done” – was notable because it amounted to an acceptance some would think it is. April can be the cruellest month for Arteta; last year, points were dropped against Everton, Brentford and Crystal Palace, while 2024 brought a home defeat to Aston Villa, and 2023 saw a four-game winless run. Whether physically or psychologically, Arsenal can be worn down by this stage of the season.

Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke were brought in by Arsenal last summer for a combined £170m, but it hasn’t worked out (PA Wire) And if they still put in a colossal effort on Sunday, a side whose mentality has been questioned faced a further taunt . “Panic on the streets of London,” read the banner the City supporters unveiled on the final whistle, borrowing from The Smiths. If anyone was panicking, it seemed to be Gabriel Magalhaes, who was fortunate to avoid a red card for aiming a headbutt at Erling Haaland .