Arsenal: Leading at Christmas doesn’t necessarily mean success!

23/12/2025 07:32:00 SportScoop

Arsenal entering the Christmas break at the top of the Premier League table has brought a wave of positive emotions to their fans.

However, behind this leading position, there are still signs that Arsenal cannot afford to be complacent. History, rivals, and the way Arsenal is currently winning all serve as reminders that the title race is far from over.

History is not on Arsenal’s side

Arsenal are top of the Premier League at Christmas, but this is not the first time they have achieved this. In fact, during the Premier League era, Arsenal have led the table at Christmas on four occasions: 2002-03, 2007-08, 2022-23, and 2023-24. The troubling common denominator is that they failed to win the title at the end of those seasons.

Two decades ago, Arsene Wenger’s squads held a slight advantage over Manchester United at Christmas but lost the championship in the usual way: losing steam as the season reached its decisive phase. More recently, under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal twice experienced a similar scenario, being overtaken by Manchester City despite previously holding a safe lead.

Of course, football doesn’t operate on superstition or coincidence. But this data series is enough to remind that leading in December means little if the momentum isn’t kept from January onward. In the last two seasons, Arsenal witnessed Manchester City’s strong acceleration after the New Year, while they themselves dropped pivotal points.

The difference now is that this season’s Arsenal is considered more balanced and mature. The squad has better depth, is less dependent on a few individuals, and has learned to win even without playing the most convincing football. Nonetheless, history shows that just a few moments of lost focus after Christmas can destroy all the advantages built.

Meanwhile, Manchester City, along with teams like Aston Villa, remain close behind. A two-point gap at the end of December does not offer true safety. Instead, it requires Arsenal to be nearly perfect in managing pressure, fitness, and form if they want to avoid repeating past failures.

Arsenal have never won the Premier League after leading at Christmas.

Winning “ugly” is necessary but…

A notable feature of Arsenal recently is their ability to “survive.” They didn’t dominate Wolves or create an easy game against Everton, yet still left with a full 3 points. This is a sign of a big club. However, this cannot be a state maintained throughout the entire season.

The match against Everton is a prime example. Arsenal scored at the right moment and controlled the game at many points but allowed the opponent to apply significant pressure in the final minutes. This reflects the reality that Arsenal still haven’t mastered how to “kill off” matches earlier.

Arteta himself admitted this, speaking about controlling the game’s tempo, the ability to accelerate at the right time, and decisiveness in final actions. Arsenal created enough chances to double their lead, but shots hitting the post or being saved by the goalkeeper show they still lack a bit of sharpness.

A championship season is not only decided by narrow wins but also by the ability to seize favorable moments to pull away, like Manchester City often do. Arsenal cannot rely on luck or opponents repeatedly slipping up. They need to turn their territorial advantage into goals, transforming “small margins” into a safer lead in the standings.

Arteta emphasizes the importance of enjoying the winning process, which is crucial. If every match becomes a mental ordeal, Arsenal will struggle to maintain long-term consistency. In Wenger’s most successful seasons, Arsenal always had a strong acceleration period after the New Year, not just in results but in the feeling of control and confidence.

This season, Arsenal still have room to grow. They haven’t yet had a run with their strongest lineup, have been constantly affected by injuries, and are still refining their attack. For that reason, leading at this point should be seen as a foundation, not the final goal.

The upcoming schedule doesn’t allow Arsenal to falter. After tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace at Emirates (a competition where Chelsea, Man City, and Newcastle have reached the semi-finals), they will face Brighton and Aston Villa. The hard-fought wins over Wolves and Everton will only matter if Arsenal can maintain focus during this critical phase.

Arsenal have reasons to be optimistic but no grounds for complacency. History is clear: Christmas is just a milestone, not a guarantee of the title. If they want to finish the season differently, Arsenal must be better than their previous selves.

Arteta praises Declan Rice highly

Declan Rice is having an impressive season at Arsenal. His consistency, endurance, and ability to control the midfield have helped the Gunners maintain their top spot in the league. The £105 million signing, once controversial, is now proving his worth far beyond the price tag.

After the win against Everton, Arteta showed great satisfaction when speaking about his player. The Spanish coach stated that Rice “had another outstanding performance,” highlighting his leadership role and rare stability in midfield. According to Arteta, Rice’s excellent ball recovery, dueling skills, and reading of the game have helped Arsenal keep their playing rhythm and control the match.

Vu Manh

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