After Arsenal‘s loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League, concerns about them possibly losing the league title have increased. This situation isn’t new; many teams have experienced similar disappointments in the league.
Today, we will explore five notable cases of this happening in Premier League history, involving teams like Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester United.
Tottenham Hotspur – 2015/16
For Tottenham, the 2015/16 season represented their best chance to win the Premier League title. They ultimately fell short, finishing third behind their rivals Arsenal on the final day.
That year was challenging for all top teams, as Leicester City surprisingly claimed the title. Tottenham will always remember the 2015/16 season as a significant missed opportunity.
A memorable match against Chelsea, known as the ‘Battle of the Bridge,’ saw Spurs blow a 2-0 lead, resulting in a 2-2 draw and handing Leicester the title.
Arsenal – 2022/23
Arsenal fans may feel a sense of déjà vu as their current situation mirrors that of three years ago.
In the 2022/23 season, Arsenal held an eight-point lead over Manchester City at one point. However, they ended the season with three draws, allowing City to snatch the title away from them.
Currently, Arsenal’s lead is even larger, but City remains close behind. They’ll need to remember the previous season’s lessons to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Liverpool – 2013/14
Steven Gerrard faced a golden opportunity to win the Premier League with Liverpool. Unfortunately for him, a mistake against Chelsea became a turning point in their campaign.
This moment is one of the most infamous in football history, but it wasn’t the only reason for their downfall. Following the slip, Liverpool had a shocking 3-3 draw against Crystal Palace after leading 3-0, a match often referred to as ‘Crystanbul.’
Ultimately, it was Manchester City who capitalized on Liverpool’s misfortunes, securing the title that season.
Manchester United – 1997/98
The 1997/98 season stands out as one of the biggest disappointments in Alex Ferguson’s career. Despite having a significant lead most of the season, Manchester United ended without a trophy.
A poor finish allowed Arsenal to catch up, and they clinched the title with only two games left, finishing just a point ahead after 38 matches.
United would rebound the next season, achieving a treble, making it clear that Ferguson had the last laugh in this chapter.
Newcastle United – 1995/96
Newcastle United’s dramatic collapse at the end of the 1995/96 season is a key example of a team losing the title. Their defensive issues and mind games from Ferguson played a role in this downfall.
Kevin Keegan’s famous remark, “I will love it if we beat them,” followed by him slumped over the dugout, remains a well-known story in Premier League lore.
To this day, Newcastle has yet to win a Premier League title, and they may never have a better chance than they did in 1996.