Will Arsenal Follow Their Odds and Finally Claim Their First Title in Two Decades?

The Premier League season is fast approaching its conclusion and, as has been the case for most of it, Arsenal are very much in the driving seat. They may not have won the title for more than 20 years, but oddsmakers and fans are confident that this could be the year that they finally break that multi-decade hoodoo and knock Manchester City from their perch.

Powered by Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, and Declan Rice, the Gunners have managed to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with on both domestic and European fronts. No team has had the consistency that Mikel Arteta’s men have managed to establish, and even Pep Guardiola’s imperious City team has shown more uncertainty than the North Londoners.

However, it is not the first time that Arsenal have been favourites to claim the title - the problem is, on many of those occasions, the Gunners have faltered, falling to second place or lower. It begs the question: will Arsenal be able to see out their current title charge and make good on their current odds to win their first Premier League title since 2004, or will they fall to a most unlikely capitulation?

The Top Pick to be Crowned Champions of England

When Arsenal defeated arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur on February 22, the Gunners cemented their place as the out-and-out favourites to become champions again. Their odds at betting sites like Comeon were as low as 1.47 to finish in first place when the curtain comes down on the season against Crystal Palace at the end of May. It represented the clearest that they have been the top pick for Premier League winner in some time. 

That came on the back of some poor displays against the likes of Brentford and Wolves, and a win against Igor Tudor’s Spurs was not just a tonic for their recent ills, but it was also a genuine statement of intent. A 4-1 win against your rivals, no matter their own woes, is always going to be impressive. In this case, the fact that the goals were scored by players under fire, Eberechi Eze and Gyokeres, amplified that feeling.

The two forwards have been criticised for not quite hitting the ground running, but this game showed that they had the drive to succeed for Arsenal. Eze has now scored five goals in two games against the Lilywhites, while the Gunners’ Swedish striker is now into double figures in the league, finally appearing to be hitting the goalscoring form that he was so sought after for. It is extremely promising for everyone involved with the club.

Has a Team So Favoured Ever Lost Their Lead?

The answer to that question has to be yes. In fact, Arsenal have contributed their fair share of title collapses. In 2007/08, Arsenal were five points clear with just 12 matches to go, not too dissimilar to their current status. They would go on to spectacularly fall apart, ultimately finishing third, four points behind Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering Manchester United.

However, they are not the only side to “bottle it” when the bookmakers have been ready to pay out on their win. Famously, Liverpool had the trophy within their grasp when Steven Gerrard told his side not to let it slip. Failure to beat Crystal Palace and Gerrard’s untimely slip that allowed Demba Ba to race through and slot one in for Chelsea allowed City to overtake the Merseysiders and provide chant-fodder for opposition for years to come.

It is not pretty reading for Arsenal fans. While there have been cases of teams going the distance after steadily picking up points throughout the season, there are also plenty of examples of teams that have held healthy but not insurmountable leads who have managed to plummet down the table and end the season empty-handed. Arteta will have to ensure that his side remains vigilant if they are to prove the bookies right and finally bring the title back to North London.