The pain of losing a Champions League final may take a while to disappear, but Arsenal’s penalty shootout defeat should not overshadow what has been a highly successful season overall. Winning the Premier League was always the club’s primary objective, and ending a 22-year wait for the title marks a hugely important step in Mikel Arteta’s project.
While European glory ultimately slipped away on penalties, there is every reason to believe this Arsenal side can come back stronger with a few smart additions in the transfer market. There are plenty of positives to take from the campaign and a growing sense that, just as the Premier League title eventually arrived, Champions League success could soon follow.
Premier League Win Defined Season
Worth the wait. pic.twitter.com/QfETpbCjDI
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 31, 2026
Having finished as runner-up for three successive seasons, Arsenal entered the campaign knowing that lifting the Premier League trophy was the ultimate target. Progress had been clear under Arteta, but another near miss would have raised fresh questions about whether the Spaniard was the right man to get this talented squad over the line.
Instead, Arsenal finally ended their long wait for a league title, producing the consistency and resilience needed to stay ahead of their rivals over 38 matches. Their total of 85 points was fewer than the 89 they managed in 2023/24 and just one more than in 2022/23, but unlike those seasons, the title race was not quite as fiercely competitive.
Manchester City never looked like their formidable selves. Although they have earned a reputation for turning up the heat when it matters most, they never managed more than four consecutive wins after Christmas. Despite this, they briefly opened up the title race by beating Arsenal in round 33. However, a draw just two games later against Everton put Arsenal firmly back in control, and from that point, the Gunners did not falter.
After losing to City, there was a real risk of a wobble, but to their credit, Arteta’s side showed resilience and nerve to win their next four matches and seal the Premier League title. Finishing at the summit of the English top flight for the first time since 2003/04 was a massive achievement. This alone made it a successful season for Arsenal, despite the lack of other silverware.
Should Arsenal Have Won More?
A season to be proud of.
We pushed the boundaries over land and sea, and couldn’t have done it without your support. Thank you, Gooners ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PfTa0I62GJ
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 30, 2026
The Premier League victory resulted in a huge open-top bus parade, with over a million people in attendance. For many Arsenal fans, it was a truly memorable occasion that ended years of frustration. Even though it came just a day after the Champions League defeat, there were few signs of disappointment, only pure jubilation.
While Arsenal fans rightly celebrated, now that the dust has settled, might there be a lingering feeling that the team could have achieved more this season? In the League Cup, there is no shame in losing the final to Manchester City, who benefited from a tactical masterclass from Pep Guardiola. There is also no shame in losing to PSG on penalties in the Champions League. These are matches Arsenal could have won with a bit more fortune, but to say they should have done so goes too far.
Realistically, the only competition where Arsenal fell short was the FA Cup. Losing to a Championship side, even one as in-form as Southampton and with such great scouting of the opposition (!), has to be considered a disappointment.
What Does Future Success Look Like?
Having won the Premier League and reached two cup finals, expectations will be high for Mikel Arteta going forward. At a minimum, Arsenal should be consistent title challengers and pick up the occasional trophy. However, finishing second and winning the League Cup would no longer feel like a particularly successful season.
For a club of Arsenal’s stature, a campaign will now only truly feel successful if it includes either a Premier League or Champions League title. Defending the Premier League is very difficult, with Manchester City the only side to have done so since 2009, but this feels like an ideal opportunity, with Chelsea, City and Liverpool all under new managers.
As for the Champions League, Arsenal have shown they can compete at the highest level, but it remains a notoriously difficult competition. Progressing through the group stage should become routine, as it was this season, but in the knockout rounds, one difficult draw can end a campaign instantly. As much as Arsenal fans would love to win this competition, it may require a few more attempts.
How Do Arsenal Secure Even More Silverware?
To increase their chances of further Premier League success or a first Champions League title, Arsenal need to strengthen their attacking options. Defensively, the Gunners are excellent, with quality depth and regular clean sheets, but going forward, they still lack the same cutting edge as Europe’s elite sides.
Signing a left winger who can improve the starting eleven has to be the top priority, as this is currently a clear area of weakness. There is also a convincing case for adding another striker. Viktor Gyokeres has not been a failure by any means, but there is a feeling that someone like Julián Alvarez could offer more overall impact.