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Arsenal Ends 22-Year Wait to Win Premier League Title Again

Arsenal finally broke their 22-year drought to capture their 14th Premier League crown. After finishing second three times in a row, Mikel Arteta's squad was declared champions following Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on May 19.

The Gunners held the lead for much of the 2022/23 season but lost momentum toward the end, finishing five points behind City's remarkable treble-winning campaign. In the off-season, Arsenal invested heavily in new talent aiming to mount another title challenge for 2023/24. Their efforts nearly paid off as they pushed the championship race down to the final day against City again.

Going into 2024/25, it appeared Arsenal might finally seize the crown while City struggled. Yet Liverpool surged ahead to win the title, and Arteta’s team couldn’t keep up the fight.

This time in 2025/26, Arsenal succeeded despite a tough battle. The long wait ended, and no one in North London will mind the struggle.

The Last Time Arsenal Won the Premier League

Before this recent triumph, Arsenal's previous league title came in 2003/04—22 years earlier. That season is legendary as the 'Invincibles' campaign, where Arsene Wenger’s side earned 90 points without suffering a single defeat across 38 matches.

That team is often hailed as one of the greatest in Premier League history. Key wins included a 2-1 victory at Liverpool and twice beating London rivals Chelsea, who were their closest challengers that year.

One of the most memorable moments was the scoreless draw at Manchester United in September 2003, known as the 'Battle of Old Trafford.' The match featured multiple clashes, including a red card for Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira with 13 minutes left. Ruud Van Nistelrooy missed a late penalty for United, and Martin Keown celebrated provocatively in front of him. The match ended with a melee and six Arsenal players plus two from United were charged by the FA for misconduct.

This game symbolized United’s fading dominance as Arsenal went unbeaten while United settled for third place. Wenger's team never looked back after that point.

Arsenal’s Performance Since Their Last Title

Though consistently finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League from 2004/05 through 2015/16 under Wenger, Arsenal rarely posed a serious title threat until the 2022/23 season.

Their journey since the Invincibles season shows a path full of ups and downs, ultimately leading back to the pinnacle of English football.

  • 2004/05: 2nd place, 12 points behind
  • 2005/06: 4th place, 24 points behind
  • 2006/07: 4th place, 21 points behind
  • 2007/08: 3rd place, 4 points behind
  • 2008/09: 4th place, 18 points behind
  • 2009/10: 3rd place, 11 points behind
  • 2010/11: 4th place, 12 points behind
  • 2011/12: 3rd place, 19 points behind
  • 2012/13: 4th place, 16 points behind
  • 2013/14: 4th place, 7 points behind
  • 2014/15: 3rd place, 12 points behind
  • 2015/16: 2nd place, 10 points behind
  • 2016/17: 5th place, 18 points behind
  • 2017/18: 6th place, 37 points behind
  • 2018/19: 5th place, 28 points behind
  • 2019/20: 8th place, 43 points behind
  • 2020/21: 8th place, 25 points behind
  • 2021/22: 5th place, 24 points behind
  • 2022/23: 2nd place, 5 points behind
  • 2023/24: 2nd place, 2 points behind
  • 2024/25: 2nd place, 10 points behind
  • 2025/26: 1st place, champions