Could Arsenal’s April curse be real? This question has been asked on multiple social media platforms since the Arsenal vs Bournemouth game ended in defeat for the home team.
It’s becoming an all-too-familiar pattern for Mikel Arteta’s side, who dominate for large parts of the season, only to stumble when it matters most – and now, what many are calling Arsenal’s April curse is starting to feel real.
Whether it’s down to the physical toll of maintaining such high intensity for major parts of the campaign or questions around mentality, the late-season drop-off, especially in the month of April, continues to haunt them. And if this trend persists, Mikel Arteta’s side risk stumbling off the top of the Premier League table with just six games left to play.
Arsenal’s recent decline has been nothing short of embarrassing. This includes a 2-0 defeat to title rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, to a shock FA Cup exit against Championship side Southampton, and now a home defeat to Bournemouth that sees their lead remain at 70 points, giving City the chance to cut the gap further.
The Gunners’ momentum has completely unravelled. What once looked like a comfortable nine-point lead now feels fragile, with confidence clearly shaken among both fans and players – especially considering City still have two games in hand and a crucial head-to-head clash looming.
If Arsenal somehow let this advantage slip and finish second again, it would raise serious concerns. A fourth consecutive runner-up finish would represent a hugely disappointing outcome for Mikel Arteta, which could place him at risk of losing his job.
Arsenal’s April Curse: The Costly Pattern Behind Their Late-Season Collapse
Arsenal’s April curse refers to a recurring trend where the club’s season significantly declines during the month of April, often resulting in them being knocked out of major competitions or losing their lead in the Premier League title race.
Facts and results are there to prove that, over the years, April has become a month the Gunners have come to dread. While it may sound like a superstitious argument, the recurring pattern is difficult to ignore and increasingly worrisome – especially for Mikel Arteta, whose six years in charge have done little to halt Arsenal’s troubling run of form during this crucial stage of the season.
It could be due to fatigue, psychological pressure or squad depth, but when the tension peaks and the margins become finer, Arsenal have too often faltered, turning promising campaigns into frustrating near-misses.
Arsenal’s April Curse – 2021/2022
This marked Arteta’s third season in charge and his second full campaign, but it ultimately saw Arsenal’s form unravel at a decisive stage of the season.
Back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Southampton derailed their push for a Champions League spot, ultimately forcing them to settle for fifth place. During that spell, they managed just six points from a possible 15, struggling for goals while also looking increasingly vulnerable at the back.
Arsenal’s April Curse – 2022/2023
At that stage, Arsenal were firmly in the title race, but April proved to be their undoing. After leading the table for much of the season, a run of three consecutive draws against Liverpool, West Ham United, and Southampton, followed by a heavy 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, derailed their title charge.
They eventually finished on 84 points, falling short of City, who secured the title with 89.
Arsenal’s April Curse – 2023/2024
This season’s results marked a clear improvement compared to previous years. In April, Arsenal won five of their six Premier League matches, with their only setback coming in a 2–0 home defeat to Aston Villa – a result that allowed Manchester City to overtake them in the title race.
However, their inconsistency still showed on the European stage, where they recorded a loss and a draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Arsenal’s April Curse – 2024/2025
April proved to be a month of contrasting fortunes for Arsenal this campaign. On the European stage, their historic Champions League quarter-final victory over Real Madrid stood out as a defining high point.
However, their domestic form told a different story, as they managed just nine points from a possible 15 in the Premier League. Draws against Everton, Brentford, and Crystal Palace ultimately derailed their title ambitions.
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The Psychological Battle of a Premier League Title Chase
The past few years have seen Arsenal chasing the title and the teams above them. But this time, the pressure is different – they are the ones being hunted. For most of the season, they have shown they are capable of going the distance and potentially finishing as Premier League champions.
With six games remaining, Arsenal are still considered favourites to lift the title, but what matters now is the mentality and psychology of champions.
What is often labelled as Arsenal’s April curse is not a “spiritual issue.” Instead, it is better understood as a combination of physical fatigue, mental strain, and the increasing pressure of high-stakes moments.
For Arsenal’s young squad, constantly hearing the “bottle club” narrative, it also becomes a mental hurdle they must overcome if they truly want to be crowned Premier League champions. After consecutive late-season setbacks, that label has begun to feel like a self-fulfilling prophecy rather than just outside noise.
Every goal conceded would feel like a moment of déjà vu, triggering memories of previous collapses and missed opportunities. And as tension builds inside the Emirates Stadium, the atmosphere can quickly shift from belief to anxiety.
Arteta’s Future Hanging on Champions League and Domestic Glory
In mid-March, Arsenal were competing on four fronts, but today they remain in just two competitions, with one foot already in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. If Mikel Arteta can mastermind a trophy from either of the two remaining competitions, he could secure his position for the foreseeable future.
However, if they come up short in both, there is a real possibility he may not still be in charge of Arsenal by the start of next season.
“The pressure on managers at the highest level is relentless, and failing to win any silverware after progressing deep into multiple competitions – reaching finals and semi-finals – would be a difficult outcome to accept and a significant setback for a team that has shown so much promise.“
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Paul Marriott
Recording Date: 11.04.2026
