Arsenal’s pursuit of a first Premier League title in 22 years has reached the stage where belief and anxiety sit side by side.
On March 1, a London derby against Chelsea will do more than fill headlines. It may define the emotional arc of the 2025 26 campaign for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The real question is no longer whether this fixture will shape Arsenal’s season. It is whether the Gunners are ready to shed the label that has followed them for three years. Nearly men. Brave challengers. Entertaining runners up. Or, as rival fans love to whisper, the real bottlers.
Under Arteta, Arsenal have finished second in three consecutive title races. In 2022 23 they ended five points behind Manchester City. In 2023 24 the gap narrowed to two. Last season, 2024 25, they watched Liverpool under Arne Slot pull away by ten points.
Close enough to dream. Not close enough to lift the trophy.
That pattern has invited uncomfortable scrutiny about Arsenal’s ability to endure the psychological weight of a full season title fight.
This campaign was supposed to be different.
The Emirates signalled intent with serious investment and structural change. The arrival of football director Andrea Berta ushered in eight new signings worth over £250 million. The objective was clear. Build depth. Avoid the injury collapses of previous seasons. Sustain momentum when it matters most.
Arsenal took advantage of early instability among their rivals.
Liverpool’s title defence faltered amid squad reshuffles and internal tensions. Manchester City navigated inconsistency while facing an ongoing Premier League legal case over alleged financial breaches between 2009 and 2018. Manchester United endured turbulence of their own. Chelsea and Newcastle United struggled for rhythm. Even Tottenham Hotspur, so often chaotic, found themselves fighting battles few predicted.
Arsenal capitalised.
They topped their UEFA Champions League group with a flawless 18 points. In the league, they lost only three times, against Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United. For months, they sat at the summit, benefiting whenever City stumbled.
Then January arrived.
Since the turn of the year, Arsenal have won just four of their last nine league matches. A five point lead remains, but City have a game in hand. The nerves are no longer theoretical.
A 2 2 home draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, in which Arsenal surrendered a two goal advantage, felt uncomfortably familiar. Yet a 4 1 demolition of Tottenham in the North London derby reminded everyone of their ceiling.
Which Arsenal will show up against Chelsea?
City have already dispatched Newcastle United and face Leeds United next. History tells us that Pep Guardiola’s side do not merely close seasons strongly. They hunt them down.
Chelsea arrive with motivation of their own. A top four place remains within reach, with Manchester United and Liverpool pushing hard. A recent 1 1 draw against Burnley underlined their inconsistency, but derby days tend to ignore league positions.
And beyond Chelsea lies an even steeper climb.
Arsenal face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, before travelling to the Etihad Stadium for a league showdown that many believe could swing the title race entirely. There is also the looming possibility of a Champions League knockout clash between the two heavyweights.
The margins are razor thin. The narrative is fragile.
If Arsenal win, they strengthen the belief that this time is different. If they falter, the whispers grow louder.
For fans in Kenya, the drama unfolds live at the Guinness Matchday on March 1. Catch Arsenal vs Chelsea at Bar Next Door Kiambu Road and Konqa 254 Lounge Ruaka, with HD screens, sharp punditry and ice cold Guinness flowing all evening.
Because seasons are not lost in May.
Sometimes they shift in March.
