Arsenal’s season review: So close yet so far

For a moment, it seemed like the 20-year wait was over. Mikel Arteta and his team had done the unthinkable, breaking the curse and winning the title against all odds. But, in the final minutes of the game against Aston Villa, Arsenal bottled their chances, and Unai Emery snatched the joy away. The Gunners’ perfect script was torn apart, leaving them still searching for that elusive title.

The 2003/04 unbeaten season remains the only memory for old fans, but the younger generation is tired of hearing about the promised land. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has achieved the unthinkable, winning four consecutive league titles and surpassing Sir Alex Ferguson’s record.

Arsenal played well, but they reached their yield point and couldn’t return to their original form. They started strong, fully loaded and ready to take on any challenge. But, a slight digression saw them relying on smaller teams for favours. Jose Mourinho’s approach may not be about beautiful football, but it’s about winning, and he wouldn’t have let Guardiola dominate.

Arteta tried, but his efforts weren’t enough. Some games required a hard tackle rather than beautiful football. Experience and investment matter, and Arsenal’s limited squad depth was exposed. Pep Guardiola has made numerous combinations work, from the backline to the attack, while Arsenal’s lack of investment compared to Manchester City was evident in the results.

Arsenal has only 12 players capable of challenging for the title, while City has a deeper squad. The Gunners’ search for the perfect time to win the league title continues.