Arsenal may have left Nottingham Forest on Saturday night feeling frustrated after a goalless draw, but in reality, this may be the best chance in years for Mikel Arteta’s side to end their Premier League title drought. Since the Invincibles of 2004, Arsenal have sought the crown, and the current season presents a unique ‘now or never’ opportunity.

Arsenal’s Position at the Top

The Gunners now sit seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after a weekend in which their closest rivals faltered. While consecutive draws have raised questions about Arsenal’s firepower, the team boasts the tightest defence in the league, and their rivals are failing to show the consistency required to challenge.

“If we don’t win the title now, we will never forgive ourselves,” the sense around the club goes. With Manchester City underperforming and Liverpool struggling to mount a defence of their crown, Arsenal are in a position to control their own destiny.

Rivals Falter

Arsenal’s advantage was aided by inconsistent results from their rivals:

• Manchester City suffered a derby defeat to Manchester United, marking their fourth straight match without a win, leaving them unable to close the gap on the Gunners.
• Liverpool continue to struggle this season, drawing 1-1 with Burnley at Anfield and sitting fourth, 14 points behind Arsenal, much to the disappointment of their fans.
• Aston Villa, who had won their previous 11 home games, were beaten 1-0 by Everton at Villa Park, losing out on a chance to apply pressure on the top two.

Villa manager Unai Emery acknowledged the setback while highlighting the positives of his team’s campaign:

“We lost a very good opportunity here, but we are having a fantastic season. We lost the opportunity to be second in the league, something very fantastic, but we must now recover.”

Arsenal’s Strengths

Arsenal’s squad is built on a solid foundation, combining an airtight defence with attacking quality across all positions. Mikel Arteta has assembled a team capable of sustaining pressure at the top of the table. While the draw at Forest may have felt like a missed opportunity, the Gunners’ overall position has strengthened relative to their rivals.

• Arteta’s team demonstrates discipline at the back, conceding far fewer goals than any other contender.
• The midfield and attack possess depth, allowing rotation without a significant drop in quality.

Looking Ahead

With their rivals dropping points and Arsenal controlling their destiny, the Catalan manager can focus on consolidating their advantage. The upcoming fixtures provide the Gunners with the opportunity to further stretch their lead and build momentum towards a Premier League triumph.

Arsenal’s fans, having endured near misses in the past, will hope this is the season everything comes together. The pieces are in place: the squad, the defence, and the timing. All that remains is for Arteta and his players to seize the moment.

“The cards are falling in Arsenal’s favour—what can possibly go wrong from here?”

This season presents a historic chance for Arsenal. Fail now, and regrets will be deep; succeed, and the club could finally reclaim its rightful place at the summit of English football.