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The Gunners saw their title challenge collapse in the final few matches of the season
Arsenal FC were the only team that contended with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the 2022/2023 English Premier League season.
For the most part of the season, it looked like the Gunners would finally end their 19-year wait for a Premier League medal.
The last time Arsenal lifted the EPL trophy was during the 2003/2004 season when Frenchman Arsene Wenger led the Invincibles to a dominant display.
The Invincibles, as they are fondly referred to went the whole season without suffering defeat in 38 league games.
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14:59 - 20.05.2023
I don't like Arsenal — Gift Orban gives reasons why he wants Man Utd ahead of Arsenal
20-year-old Nigerian striker Gift Orban wants a dream move to the Premier League but does not want anything to do with Arsenal.
However, former Arsenal midfielder and current coach Mikel Arteta has done a fantastic job with the Gunners despite their title challenge collapse in recent weeks following a poor run of form.
Arsenal on top for 248 days
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However, without any doubt, it has been a successful season for the Gunners, who were on top of the EPL standing for a record 248 days.
Unfortunately, Arsenal’s 248 days at the top of the table is the longest for a team who failed to win the league in the competition’s history.
Manchester City hit a rich vein of form at the tail end of the season which helped them supplant Arsenal at the top of the table.
Manchester City Champions without kicking a ball
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19:33 - 20.05.2023
Super Eagles star Taiwo Awoniyi condemns Arsenal, hands title to Manchester City
Taiwo Awoniyi continued his remarkable goalscoring form with the only goal of the game as Nottingham Forest defeated Arsenal 1-0 to secure their PL safety and hand the league title to Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side have sealed a third successive English Premier League table without taking to the field.
Manchester City needed to beat London rival Chelsea at the Etihad to be crowned champions in front of their fans.
However, they have been helped by in-form Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi whose strike in a 1-0 win against Arsenal guaranteed City the league title.
Not all Doom and Gloom for Arsenal
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In his postmatch interview after the defeat to Nottingham Forest, Arteta called for appreciation and gratitude. He said,
“We need to show a lot of appreciation and gratitude for everything that they’ve done for the team, they’ve been incredible and the belief has transformed the team, individually and collectively."
Pulse Sports highlights some of the positives in this campaign that Arsenal has enjoyed.
Here are 5 points that show Arsenal has had a great season despite a late title collapse.
1. Return of Champions League Football
The Gunners will be back in Europe’s elite competition, the UEFA champions league, after finishing as runners-up to the side from the blue half of Manchester.
Arsenal’s last Champions League adventure came in the 2016/2017 season, where they were knocked out in the round of 16.
2. Four players hitting double figures goals
Arsenal have in the ranks, four players who have recorded double figures in terms of goals scored (10 and above).
Martin Ødegaard (15), Gabriel Martinelli (15), Bukayo Saka (14), and Gabriel Jesus (10) have all scored double digits goals in a single premier league season.
Of all the teams in the league, only Arsenal have four players represented in the top 15 goals scorers chart.
Bukayo Saka became the first player to hit double figures goals and assists this season.
3. Reborn Martin Ødegaard
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Former Real Madrid wonderkid Martin Ødegaard didn’t live up to expectations during his time with Los Blancos.
However, after numerous loan spells, a move to Arsenal has rejuvenated him. He has been in such an exceptional form.
Despite being handed the captain’s hand band, the 24-year-old Norwegian has come of age and has led his side brilliantly.
4. Pushing Man City all the way
The Premier League should be grateful to Arsenal because without them, there would be no one fighting Manchester City for the title.
Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United all had a poor season and none of the big guns could rival the Cityzens for the league title.
However, no one expected Arsenal to step up, but that is exactly what they did and they pushed City all the way.
The Gunners deserve some credit for this because without them Manchester City might have won the league in January.
5. Some key stats
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18:00 - 19.05.2023
We didn't ‘bottle’ the Premier League title - Aaron Ramsdale hits back at Arsenal critics
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has hit back at critics claiming the Gunners bottled the Premier League title.
Stats from the Premier League website shows that Arsenal have recorded the most shots in the season so far with 579.
Mikel Arteta side have won 25 matches in the league so far. This is only bettered by the 27 Man City have won.
The Gunners sit third in the number of passes; only Manchester City (23,138) and Liverpool (21,797) have amassed more passes than the 19,987 Arsenal have so far.
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