Arsenal letting Man City back into Premier League title race follows familiar pattern - ESPN

ESPN

by Chris Wright

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Arsenal's Premier League title challenge has hit another snag after a 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, allowing Manchester City to close the gap significantly. Despite leading by two goals, Arsenal squandered their advantage at Molineux, leaving them with only a five-point lead over City, who now have a game in hand. This latest stumble has reignited concerns among fans about whether history will repeat itself, as Arsenal's recent form has been inconsistent, with just two wins in their last seven league games. The article highlights that Arsenal's defending, once a major strength, has become a liability under Mikel Arteta. Their inability to maintain a clean sheet against Wolves reflects deeper issues, and the defensive lapses have allowed teams to capitalize on opportunities late in matches. This pattern is reminiscent of past seasons where Arsenal's title bids faltered due to similar mistakes, particularly during critical moments when City was able to pounce. Historically, City has shown greater consistency in the closing stages of campaigns, amassing more points than Arsenal from this stage onward over the last four years. For instance, in the 2021-22 season, Arsenal's younger squad struggled to match City's intensity and ultimately fell short in their title race. Similarly, in 2022-23, Arsenal led by five points at the same point in the season but lost steam, allowing City to reclaim first place and win the league. The context of Arsenal's current campaign is particularly significant because they have spent much of the season atop the table, a position they haven't sustained for this long in years. Their recent underperformance contrasts sharply with their earlier dominance, raising questions about whether Arteta can rally his team for the crucial match against City at the Etihad Stadium in April. If Arsenal fail to secure all remaining points, it could mark another near miss in their quest for a Premier League title, which has eluded them since 2004. This narrative matters to sports fans because it underscores the unpredictability of football and the high stakes of a tightly contested title race. Arsenal

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/19/2026