Going into any Premier League season, only a small handful of clubs have realistic expectations of launching a title challenge. Liverpool did the business in 2024/25 after Manchester City had a relatively dismal season. Arsenal often put themselves in a strong position, but all too often they’ve had to settle for second place.
Filling the runner-up position in 2022/23, 2023/24, and 2024/25, the Gunners have certainly been knocking on the door. Having finished a yawning 10 points adrift of Liverpool in 2024/25, Arsenal didn’t even make it a closely fought battle. But when it comes to tight battles, the Gunners have a history of coming out on top.
1952/53: Goal Average Proves Decisive
Lifting their first title under Herbert Chapman in 1930/31, Arsenal went on to dominate the 1930s, with further successes in 1932/33, 1933/34, 1934/35, and 1937/38 – the first three of those triumphs coming under Chapman.
Fast forward to 1952/53, and only one further title (1947/48) had followed under new boss and former physio, Tom Whittaker. As such, the Arsenal faithful headed into the campaign in hope rather than expectation. Did the ageing squad have one last hurrah in them?
Arsenal began well with wins over Aston Villa and Manchester United and remained largely consistent through to March. However, a springtime wobble saw the Gunners fail to win in six games – a strong finish was required if Arsenal were to fend off a Preston North End outfit seeking their first title success since 1890.
Two points ahead of Preston with only two games remaining, Arsenal could seal the title with a win in their penultimate fixture on the road at Preston. Instead, they lost 2-0. With Preston then winning their final game at Derby, Arsenal knew that they must beat Burnley at home to lift the trophy.
Arsenal 3-2 Burnley: Early Scare But All Ends Well
The crucial fixture took place on Friday, 1st May 1953 at Highbury. Roy Stephenson gave the home support a fright when handing an early lead, but back came Arsenal. Goals from Alec Forbes, Jimmy Logie, and Doug Lishman saw the hosts take a 3-1 lead into the break. However, Burnley weren’t done yet. A second-half strike from Billy Elliott reduced the arrears, but Arsenal stood firm to win 3-2, and record one of the narrowest successes in the history of the English top-flight.
In the days of two points for a win, Arsenal and Preston finished dead level on 54 points. Rather than the modern measure of goal difference, ties were decided by the now defunct measure of goal average, i.e. total goals scored divided by total goals conceded.
Arsenal ended the season with 97 goals for, 64 conceded, and a goal average of 1.516. That was heartbreaking for Preston, whose 95 goals for, 60 conceded, and a goal average of 1.417 saw them lose out by just 0.099 of a goal!
1988/89: George Graham Masterclass
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Whether 1988/89 beats 1952/53 in terms of how tight the final standings were is a matter of debate. However, in terms of pure drama, Arsenal’s ninth league success is perhaps matched only by the Aguerooo! moment of 2011/12.
Ahead of the 1988/89 season, Arsenal were without a league title since winning the double under Bertie Mee in the 1970/71 season. Only fifth in 1987/88, Arsenal had work to do to challenge a dominant Liverpool side, who had lifted the title nine times between 1975/76 and 1987/88.
Unsurprisingly, Liverpool began the season as red-hot favourites, but Arsenal soon emerged as strong challengers. Showing marked improvement in George Graham’s third season in charge, Arsenal boasted a mix of homegrown talent, including Tony Adams, David Rocastle, and Michael Thomas, enhanced by shrewd signings Steve Bould and Brian Marwood.
With PFA Young Player of the Year Paul Merson pulling the strings and Alan Smith enjoying a 23-goal campaign, the Gunners took the title race to the final day of the season. In a Hollywood-worthy quirk of the fixture list, that climactic match saw Arsenal head to Anfield to take on the league leaders and defending champions.
Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal: Thomas at the Death
Arsenal made the trip north three points behind Liverpool with a four-goal inferior goal difference. A draw, a win of any description, or even a single-goal defeat would do for the hosts. For the Gunners, only a win by two goals or more would suffice. All eyes were on Merseyside for a match televised live on ITV.
Defences emerged on top in a cagey opening 45 minutes, seeing the sides head into the interval locked together at 0-0. Just seven minutes into the second half, Smith ignited the hopes of the away end when glancing in a Nigel Winterburn free kick at the far post.
Despite both sides pushing for a goal, the score remained 0-1 as the clock reached ninety minutes. Arsenal appeared set to miss out on an elusive title success by the narrowest of margins. And then came one of the most iconic moments in the long history of the club.
Lee Dixon’s incisive ball down the left channel was expertly controlled by Smith, who turned the ball inside to find a charging Michael Thomas. Thomas received a little luck with a ricochet, which took his rampaging run into the area. With only Grobbelaar to beat, Brian Moore uttered the immortal line “it’s up for grabs now.” Thomas seized the opportunity with a deft finish into the right-hand side, somersaulted in excitement, and sparked carnage amongst the visiting fans. Soon after, the final whistle signalled the end of one of the most thrilling title races of the modern era.
Level on 37 points and each with a goal difference of +37, goals scored were required to separate the sides. Here, Arsenal held the edge, with 73 goals compared to only 65 for Liverpool. Interestingly, had the arcane goals average measure been called upon, Arsenal would have lost out to Liverpool, with a goal average of 2.03 compared to 2.32 for the Merseyside club.