Fresh from a crushing Carabao Cup final defeat, Arsenal F.C.’s season is once again at risk of ending without silverware—a familiar and frustrating storyline under Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City at Wembley in the 2026 Carabao Cup final, missing out on what would have been their first major trophy since 2020.

The defeat is particularly painful because Arsenal had navigated a difficult path to the final—beating Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals—only to fall short at the final hurdle once again.

For many observers, this latest setback is not an isolated incident but part of a worrying pattern: a talented Arsenal side consistently getting close, but failing to deliver when it matters most.

With their Premier League title hopes now under pressure following recent poor results, the fear is growing that the 2025/26 campaign could end the same way as the last few—full of promise, but empty-handed.

This is a deep dive into 10 moments and trends that explain why Arsenal may end the season trophyless again.

A Familiar Story: Strong Start, Weak Finish

Arsenal’s struggles are no longer isolated incidents—they are part of a pattern. Over the last few seasons, the Gunners have consistently built momentum, only to falter when it matters most.

The 2025/26 campaign appears to be following a similar trajectory. Despite looking like favourites for much of the season, a poor run of form—winning just two of seven games at one point—has once again raised fears of a late collapse.

1. The 2022/23 Collapse: Eight-Point Lead Gone

The clearest example of Arsenal “bottling” the title came in the 2022/23 season.

Arteta’s side held an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League heading into April. However, a disastrous run—including dropped points against relegation-threatened teams and a heavy defeat to Manchester City—saw them surrender control of the title race.

They eventually finished second with 84 points, despite leading the table for most of the season.

2. 2023/24: Better, But Still Not Enough

Rather than collapse dramatically, Arsenal improved in 2023/24—but still fell short.

They amassed 89 points, one of the highest totals in club history, yet still finished runners-up behind Manchester City.

It highlighted a new problem: even when Arsenal are excellent, they are not quite clinical enough to secure the title.

3. 2024/25: Three Consecutive Runner-Up Finishes

The following season reinforced the narrative.

Arsenal again finished second—this time behind Liverpool F.C.—marking three consecutive runner-up finishes.

Across those three seasons, they accumulated impressive points tallies but failed to convert consistency into trophies. Critics began to question whether the issue was psychological rather than tactical.

4. Late-Season Drop-Offs: A Recurring Pattern

Across multiple seasons, Arsenal’s form tends to dip during the final stretch.

In 2022/23, they won just three of their last nine games during the run-in.

In 2025/26, a similar dip—two wins in seven—has again placed their title hopes in jeopardy.

This recurring pattern suggests a deeper issue with handling pressure in decisive moments.

5. Key Matches That Define the Season—And Slip Away

Arsenal’s title challenges have often been undone in decisive fixtures.

For example, in 2023/24, a damaging home defeat to Aston Villa proved pivotal, handing control of the title race back to Manchester City.

Similarly, dropped points in seemingly winnable matches—such as draws against struggling teams—have repeatedly cost them momentum.

6. Defensive Fragility at Critical Moments

During their 2022/23 collapse, Arsenal conceded crucial goals in key matches, including blowing leads against West Ham United F.C. and Southampton F.C..

Defensive injuries—such as the absence of William Saliba—were cited as a major factor in their late-season dip.

Even in subsequent seasons, lapses in concentration have continued to haunt them.

7. Mentality Questions Refuse to Go Away

Arsenal’s repeated near-misses have raised concerns about mentality.

Players themselves have admitted that previous failures are weighing on the squad, affecting confidence in high-pressure situations.

When a team repeatedly falls short at the same stage, it often becomes as much a psychological battle as a footballing one.

8. European and Cup Frustrations

Beyond the Premier League, Arsenal have also struggled to convert opportunities into trophies.

In the 2024/25 season, they reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals but were eliminated, continuing a trend of falling short in major knockout competitions.

Under Arteta, their only major trophy remains the 2020 FA Cup, with subsequent campaigns ending in early exits or near-misses.

9. Arteta’s Finals Record: Limited Success

Arteta began his tenure with immediate success, winning the FA Cup in 2020. However, since then, Arsenal have struggled in decisive matches.

While they have won the Community Shield, critics often downplay it compared to major trophies.

More importantly, Arsenal have failed to consistently reach—and win—major finals in recent seasons, raising questions about Arteta’s ability to deliver under pressure.

10. The “Nearly Team” Label Is Growing Stronger

Across the last three seasons, Arsenal’s points totals—84, 89, and 74—underline their consistency.

Yet, despite these numbers, they have not won the league. This paradox has earned them a reputation as one of Europe’s strongest “nearly teams”—good enough to compete, but not to conquer.

What This Means for the Current Season

The current campaign mirrors previous ones almost perfectly:

• Strong early form
• Title-favourite status
• Late dip in results
• Mounting pressure

If history is anything to go by, Arsenal’s recent defeat could be the turning point that once again derails their title ambitions.

Is It Bottling or Just Bad Timing?

The word “bottle” is often used harshly in football debates, but Arsenal’s case is more nuanced.

They are competing in an era dominated by elite sides like Manchester City and Liverpool. Even small dips in form can be fatal in such a competitive environment.

However, the repetition of similar collapses suggests that it may not just be bad luck.

Final Analysis: Progress Without Reward

Under Arteta, Arsenal have undeniably improved:

• They are consistent title challengers
• They play attractive, structured football
• They compete across multiple competitions

But football is ultimately judged by trophies—and in that regard, the project remains incomplete.

Unless Arsenal break this cycle of late-season collapse and convert dominance into silverware, the narrative will persist.

And with another crucial defeat threatening to define their season, the question remains:

Are Arsenal unlucky… or are they simply not built to finish the job?