Arsenal finished last season just two points behind Manchester City, falling short of their title aspirations in the 2022-23 campaign. Many expected the team to make significant progress this season, raising questions about whether their title challenge is already faltering. After losing 1-0 to Newcastle United, Arsenal finds themselves seven points behind league leaders Liverpool after ten matches.

The last team to recover from a similar deficit after ten games and win the championship was Blackburn in 1994; they trailed Newcastle by eight points but had played one game less. Other notable comebacks include Manchester United in 2002-03 and Manchester City in both 2013-14 and 2020-21, with each of these teams trailing by six points at the same stage of their respective seasons.

Currently on a three-match winless streak in the league, Arsenal has dropped nearly half the points they lost throughout last season, placing them fourth behind Nottingham Forest. Former Gunners captain Martin Keown commented on this situation, stating that while there is still a long season ahead, Arsenal faces a significant uphill battle. He emphasized that the team has only themselves to blame for their current standing.

In recent matches, Arsenal has struggled defensively, conceding first in four of their last six league games — a stark contrast to their previous 31 games where they managed to avoid such a scenario. They have also allowed the opening goal in three consecutive away matches for the first time since December 2019. Despite an impressive start last season where they lost only one of their first 25 Premier League games, the Gunners have now lost two of their last three outings.

With just 37 shots taken across five away matches this season, Arsenal ranks among the lowest in attempts on goal away from home. Following their loss to Newcastle, manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged that while it’s too early to discuss points dropped compared to previous seasons, immediate reactions on the field are crucial for improvement.

As they stand seven points adrift of Liverpool and potentially facing a further drop in standings if other teams secure victories over the weekend, Arsenal is at a critical juncture. The absence of captain Martin Odegaard due to injury has been acutely felt; his creativity and leadership have been missed significantly during this challenging spell. As pressure mounts, it remains essential for Arsenal to regain their form and rise back into contention as they aim for better performances moving forward.