Arteta speaks out, Arsenal determined to break the 'curse' and win the EPL title

Coach Arteta calls on Arsenal to break the early-year curse, hold onto the top spot in the Premier League, and convert their present lead into a title after many seasons of disappointment.

Manager Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal players to break the familiar “curse” that strikes whenever they lead the Premier League at the start of the new year, aiming to end their long domestic trophy drought since the unbeaten 2003-2004 season.

Arsenal is emerging as the frontrunner for the 2025-2026 Premier League title. After 19 rounds, the North London club leads the table by 4 points over Manchester City. Arteta’s squad has only lost twice and boasts the league’s strongest defense, conceding just 12 goals—a key factor in their consistent performance throughout the season.

Before the away match at Bournemouth, Coach Arteta encouraged his players to use the past as motivation: “Let’s break it. The players show that desire every day. We will take it step by step, enjoy the journey, and fight until the end.”

Despite ongoing injury issues, especially in defense, Arsenal has demonstrated impressive squad depth. The recent 4-1 victory over Aston Villa clearly showed this, with Declan Rice absent but the “Gunners” still dominating, scoring through Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus.

However, Arsenal’s biggest challenge lies in the psychological aspect. Over the past 23 years, they have finished at the top of the table five times at the end of the calendar year but failed to secure the title. The 2022-2023 season remains the most painful memory, when Arsenal led Man City by 7 points yet still lost the championship.

Not only in the Premier League, Arsenal also maintains impressive form in cup competitions. They have won all 6 matches in the Champions League qualifying round to top their group, are preparing to face Chelsea in the League Cup semifinals, and have started their FA Cup campaign with an away game at Portsmouth.

Arsenal has a chance to increase their lead as Bournemouth is struggling and has not won since late October. Ahead lie crucial matches against Liverpool, Chelsea, and Inter Milan—challenges that will shape the Gunners’ title ambitions for the rest of the season.