Every time Arsenal failed to win the Premier League after being top at Xmas
December 21, 2025 / /
Need to know
Arsenal are in the familiar position of being top of the Premier League at Christmas
All you need to know about Arsenal’s failure to win the Premier League title after being top at Christmas
- 2002/03: Arsenal were the defending champions and looked dominant, but a late-season stumble (including a famous 2-2 draw at Bolton and a loss to Leeds) allowed Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United to overtake them.
- 2007/08: This is often remembered for the horrific injury to striker Eduardo against Birmingham City in February. Arsenal were five points clear in early February but drew four games in a row following that match, eventually finishing third.
- 2022/23: Arsenal spent 248 days at the top of the table – a Premier League record for a team that didn’t win the title. Injuries to William Saliba and a run of three draws in April allowed Manchester City to hunt them down.
- 2023/24: Arsenal were top on Christmas Day but briefly fell to 4th after a poor run in late December (losing to West Ham and Fulham). Despite a near-perfect 2024, they finished two points behind Manchester City.
- 2025/26: This season is the fifth time the Gunners have been top at Christmas, and while they are favourites to capture the title for the first time in over 20 years, it remains to be seen whether they can clinch the trophy.
- READ MORE ABOUT ARSENAL’S CHRISTMAS FAILURES: Arsenal are football’s Christmas number one – but is this just another festive fling?
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