With the dust finally settling on an unforgettable year of football, the biggest question dominating North London is simple: Was Arsenal’s season a success?
Depending on who you ask, Mikel Arteta’s side either achieved historic progress or suffered the ultimate heartbreak. In a season defined by razor-thin margins, the Gunners pushed the absolute boundaries of domestic and European football.
Let’s break down the highs, the lows, and the final verdict on Arsenal’s 2025/26 campaign.
The Ultimate Heartbreak: The Champions League Final
You cannot look at the 2025/26 season without starting at the end. Arsenal marched all the way to the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest, setting up a monumental clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
It was a match that had fans on the edge of their seats for 120 agonizing minutes. Kai Havertz opened the scoring just 5 minutes in, but an Ousmane Dembélé penalty leveled it for PSG. After a grueling extra-time period, the match went to a penalty shootout where Arsenal ultimately fell short ($4\text{–}3$).
While the defeat left a bitter taste, reaching the pinnacle of European football for the first time in two decades is a staggering achievement.
The Premier League: Fine Margins and Agony
Domestically, the Premier League title race was one for the history books. Deep into April, Arsenal were locked at the top of the table, remarkably level on both points and goal difference with their rivals—a statistical dead-heat not seen at that stage of the season since 1999.
Arteta’s men showed incredible maturity, securing crucial late-season victories over teams like West Ham, Manchester United, and Crystal Palace. However, small slips—including a costly April defeat to Bournemouth—meant they couldn’t quite cross the finish line as champions.
Arsenal’s 2025/26 Competition Summary
| Competition | Final Result | Key Takeaway |
| Premier League | Runners-Up | Pushed the title race to the final matchday. |
| UEFA Champions League | Finalists | Lost on penalties ($4\text{–}3$ in shootout) to PSG. |
| EFL Cup | Finalists | Defeated $2\text{–}0$ by Manchester City at Wembley. |
| FA Cup | Quarter-Finals | Knocked out in a tight game by Southampton. |
The Positives: Why It Was a Success
To label this season a failure would be a massive disservice to the project Mikel Arteta is building. There are undeniable signs that Arsenal has cemented its status as a global powerhouse:
- Big Game Mentality: Arsenal no longer shrinks on the big stage. Their tactical dismantling of Europe’s elite en route to Budapest proved they belong at the very top.
- The Rise of Elite Talents: Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Declan Rice continued to perform at world-class levels, while young midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly broke into the setup as a legitimate future star.
- Tactical Flexibility: Arteta’s “rest defense” and structural solidity made Arsenal one of the hardest teams in world football to break down.
The Criticisms: Where the Season Fell Short
Naturally, pundit skepticism remains high. Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes recently sparked fan backlash by claiming he “just doesn’t see” Arsenal dominating next year, suggesting they could slide to third or fourth.
For the critics, the argument against Arsenal comes down to silverware. Losing both the EFL Cup final to Manchester City and the Champions League final to PSG means the Gunners played the maximum number of high-stakes games but finished the year without a major trophy to show for it. To take the final step, Arteta must find a way to navigate injuries to key players without losing tactical efficiency.
The Verdict: Success or Failure?
Final Grade: A-
So, was Arsenal’s season a success? Yes.
While football will always be judged on trophies, context is everything. Arsenal are no longer outsiders plucky enough to challenge; they are an elite footballing machine. They played in the Champions League final, fought until the final whistle of the Premier League season, and built a foundation meant for a multi-year dynasty.
The trophies will come. For now, Gooners can be immensely proud of a team that made the entire football world stop and take notice.
