How Arsenal lost the 2022/23 Premier League title race: Where they dropped points to Man City in the campaign

Arsenal have finished second in the 2022/23 Premier League season as Manchester City clinch the title.

A 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on May 20 saw City crowned champions with three matches left to play.

Mikel Arteta's team pushed hard all year for the trophy, boosted by the signings of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and the return of William Saliba.

Just like their 2021/22 campaign, the Gunners' lack of defensive depth has stopped them from reaching their target at the end of the season, with a dramatic drop-off in April and May.

The Sporting News looks at where Arsenal lost the 2022/23 Premier League title race, having led for so long.

MORE: Are Guardiola's Man City the Premier League's best ever dynasty?

Where did Arsenal lose the league?

Despite a brief dip in form in February, Arsenal's defining run of games came in April. Four games completely changed the title race as the Gunners' lost their grip on the trophy.

Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal, April 9 – Xhaka vs Alexander-Arnold

Arsenal's trip to Anfield was one of the most hectic games in the Premier League as both sides pushed hard for a win. Despite being 2-0 down, the Liverpool fans helped their side make a comeback after a clash between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Granit Xhaka.

Roberto Firmino equalised for the Reds in the 87th minute, but Aaron Ramsdale still made two vital saves in the dying minutes to salvage a point for the visitors.

West Ham 2-2 Arsenal, April 16 – Partey and Gabriel howlers

Arsenal were once again leading by two goals, this time at the London Stadium, but a careless error from Thomas Partey gifted Declan Rice the ball near the Arsenal box, and this led to Gabriel giving away a needless penalty. Said Benrahma scored from the spot, sparking another difficult afternoon.

From there on in, the Hammers' were the more dominant team. Bukayo Saka misses a penalty before Jarrod Bowen equalised for the hosts. It was two big points dropped for Arteta's men.

MORE: Manchester United, Man City and list of most Premier League title wins

Arsenal 3-3 Southampton, April 21 – Ramsdale blunder

If Arsenal fans could choose any fixture to play after dropping four points from winning positions, it would rock-bottom Southampton at Emirates Stadium. But things did not go as planned.

Ramsdale gave the ball away in a dangerous position inside 30 seconds and Carlos Alcaraz put the Saints in the lead. Former Gunners winger Theo Walcott then doubled the visitors' lead soon after, before Arsenal made a very late turnaround to rescue a point.

Man City 4-1 Arsenal, April 26 – De Bruyne classic

Winless in three games, Arsenal then travelled to Etihad Stadium in what was a must-win clash if they wanted to stay in control of the title race. 

Kevin De Bruyne showed why he is one of the best midfielders in the world as he scored a stunner after seven minutes before adding another goal and an assist to his tally. Erling Haaland closed the show as Arsenal were down and out and City assumed control of the title race.

Arsenal 0-3 Brighton, May 14 – Final nail in the coffin

Arsenal fans truly lost all hope after a heavy defeat to Brighton at home. They conceded three poor goals in the second half, but the hosts were ultimately the second best team on the day.

Matters were made worse when Gabriel Martinelli was ruled out for the remaining games of the season following a challenge from Moises Caicedo.

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal, May 20

Arsenal knew they had to avoid defeat to keep their slim chances alive but with Forest knowing a win would confirm their status in the Premier League for another season, it was always going to be tough ask for the visitors.

Taiwo Awoniyi's strike proved decisive for both clubs as City were crowned champions for a third successive season before even kicking a ball against Chelsea on May 21.

How many points does it usually take to win the Premier League title?

Since Pep Guardiola took charge of Man City in the 2016/17 season, they have now won five of the seven titles available. They finished third in his debut season, but have finished no lower than second since then.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have been their main competitors for the league since then, and the Merseysiders may consider themselves unlucky to not have more Premier League titles to their name.

In the 2018/19 season, Liverppol amassed an incredible 97 points in the league, but Man City still managed to win the title with 98 points. Guardiola's team are also the only Premier League side to ever reach 100 points in a single season.

The table below shows the amount of points needed to win a Premier League title during Guardiola's time in Manchester. This 2022/23 campaign may well end up as their lowest ever tally under the Catalan, yet they're still winning the league.

Is this Arsenal's best ever Premier League season?

Despite not winning the title, this is still one of Arsenal's best points tallies in Premier League history. They have picked up 81 points so far from 37 matches.

The Invincibles of 2003/04 hold the Gunners' record after they won the league with 90 points, winning 26 matches and drawing 12. Arteta's young team can no longer equal that record following their defeat to Brighton at home. 

Arsenal fans and players will be left thinking about what they could have achieved.

*As of 20/05/2023