On Thursday, January 8, momentum in the Arsenal title race suffered a minor setback as Mikel Arteta’s side failed to turn their dominance at the Emirates into a decisive result against Liverpool. The visitors’ failure to register a single shot on target throughout 90 minutes was a testament to the authority the Gunners’ back line showed against a Liverpool attack depleted by the absence of key players.
At the other end of the pitch, Arsenal lacked the clinical edge required to capitalise on several well-worked moves – missed opportunities that proved costly. The 0-0 draw prevented them from opening up an eight-point gap over Manchester City, who also dropped points against Brighton in the Premier League title race.
Even with this latest blip, Arsenal’s numbers continue to underline their credentials. Conceding just 14 goals and keeping 10 clean sheets, they boast the league’s best defensive record. Their game management has evolved, and their growing ability to control and see out tight contests remains a key factor separating them from the chasing pack.
Yet, as commanding as Arsenal have looked, the Premier League title race is far from settled. The second half of the season will expose margins that early dominance cannot hide, and for Arteta, sustaining Arsenal’s position at the top of the EPL table will depend on solving two problems that could quietly define their campaign.
Why the Arsenal Title Race Is Still on a Knife Edge
Only six points separate the top three teams, and despite this narrow lead, it increasingly feels as though Arsenal are walking a fine line between total control and losing it all.
Their performances remain strong, but fine margins – missed chances, injuries, and the relentless pressure applied by their closest rivals – mean there is little room for error.
The Gunners’ next run of games include Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, and Leeds United – three tough matches where anything but a win could quickly alter the shape of the EPL table.
The Three Defining Problems Arteta Must Solve in the Arsenal Title Race
Striker’s Goal Drought
Looking back at the last ten Premier League champions (2024/25 – 2014/15), eight of them boasted a striker who was capable of scoring at least 20 league goals in that title-winning season – a ruthless finisher who could convert even half-chances into decisive moments. That level of clinical edge has often been the difference between simply competing for the title and actually winning it.
The arrival of Viktor Gyokeres was meant to put an end to the club’s long-standing scoring problems. But after 19 games in his debut season, the Swedish striker has just five goals to show for it – a return that falls well short of expectations, especially considering the former Sporting Lisbon forward claimed the Gerd Muller trophy at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony after an astonishing 63 goals in 58 appearances for club and country.
So far, his time at the Emirates has been disappointing. Viktor Gyokeres, whose last goal was back in September against Nottingham Forest, has gone over 1,000 minutes since his last open-play Premier League goal.
However, the Arsenal title race ends will ultimately hinge on whether Mikel Arteta can fix the team’s goalscoring inconsistency at centre-forward.
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Managing Squad Fatigue and Injuries
For Arsenal, or any other team in a tight title race, an injury crisis is a severe setback and could ultimately cost the league – which is why Arteta’s choice of rotation is crucial.
Effective squad management – built on proper rotation, timely rest for overused players, and greater trust in fringe options – is essential. Arteta must rely on a core group he fully trusts while avoiding the temptation to overplay his key men, as excessive workloads increase the risk of injuries and could derail Arsenal’s momentum at the most decisive stage of the season.
Striking the right balance between game time and rest will be needed if Arsenal are to sustain their momentum and remain in contention for the Premier League crown.
Mental Resilience Under Pressure
The mental side of the Arsenal title race is just as important as the physical one. In the seasons where the Gunners finished second three times in a row, they were the chasers, applying pressure and hoping for the leading team to drop points.
Now, the dynamic has shifted. Arsenal are the team being hunted by serial winners Manchester City, and that brings a very different psychological challenge – one that demands resilience, and the ability to handle expectation when every dropped point feels magnified.
Can Arteta Lead His Arsenal Side to Premier League Glory?
Finally, it feels like Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal is finally coming together. Six years, one FA Cup, one Community Shield, and three consecutive second-place finishes – achievements that showed progress but never full triumph. This season, however, there’s a sense that Arteta has cracked the code to remain at the top of the EPL table.
The defensive structure is elite, arguably the best in the Premier League, while the attack flows freely, dictating games. Yet, it is still held back by a central striker struggling to find the confidence and clinical edge he once possessed.
Any lapse in focus in the Premier League title race could open the door for Manchester City – or even a surprise challenger like Aston Villa – to climb to the top of the EPL table.
If Arteta can solve these issues, the lingering doubts around the credibility of the Arsenal title race would fade, transforming the narrative from a team who is always inches away from glory to eventual kings of England.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Action Plus
Recording Date: 11.01.2026
