Can Arsenal Finally End Their 22-Year Wait?

The Emirates is buzzing. North London is daring to dream. With just seven games remaining in the 2025/26 Premier League season, Arsenal sit top of the table with 70 points — a commanding nine-point lead over second-placed Manchester City. For the first time since the legendary Invincibles season of 2003/04, Arsenal are not just contenders — they are overwhelming favourites to lift the Premier League trophy.

But football, as we all know, is rarely that simple. In this piece, we break down the mathematics, analyse the remaining fixtures, identify the most likely title-clinching moments, and explain why Arsenal fans around the world should seriously be looking at securing their match tickets for the run-in.

---

The Current Standings: Arsenal in the Driving Seat

After 31 matches played, Arsenal's numbers are remarkable. With 21 wins, 7 draws and just 3 defeats, Mikel Arteta's side boasts a goal difference of +39 — by far the best in the division. Their nearest rival, Manchester City, have 61 points from 30 games, meaning that even if City were to win every single one of their remaining eight fixtures, the maximum they could reach is 85 points.

That is the single most important number in this title race: 85 — Manchester City's absolute ceiling. Arsenal, therefore, need just 86 points to be mathematically guaranteed the title regardless of what anyone else does. They currently sit on 70. That means 16 points from their remaining 7 games — the equivalent of five wins, one draw and one defeat — secures the championship with nothing left to chance.

Given their form, their squad depth, and the quality of opposition ahead, that target is well within reach.

---

Arsenal's Remaining Fixtures: A Match-by-Match Breakdown

Note: Neither Arsenal nor Manchester City played in Matchweek 31, with both clubs involved in the EFL Cup Final instead. The league campaign resumes in earnest from Matchweek 32 onwards.

Matchweek 32 — Saturday 11 April: Arsenal vs Bournemouth (Home)

The first hurdle is a home fixture against Bournemouth, who sit 10th in the table with 41 points. On paper, this is one of the more comfortable assignments remaining on Arsenal's schedule. The Cherries have been inconsistent in the second half of the season, and the Emirates will be rocking with title fever. A win here puts Arsenal on 73 points and sets the tone for a momentous April.

Expected outcome: Arsenal win. Points projection: 73.

Matchweek 33 — Sunday 19 April: Manchester City vs Arsenal (Away)

Circle this date in your calendar. This is the match that could define the entire season. A direct head-to-head between the two title contenders at the Etihad Stadium, with the Premier League trophy potentially on the line in spirit if not yet in mathematics.

If Arsenal win at the Etihad, the gap grows to 12 points with City having just six games remaining and a maximum of 18 points left to play for. At that stage, Arsenal would need only five more points from their final six matches to be mathematically confirmed as champions — an almost certain outcome. A draw would still leave Arsenal in an extremely strong position. Even a defeat, while psychologically damaging, would not derail the title charge as long as Arsenal maintain their composure in the weeks that follow.

This match has the feel of a title decider. Whoever wins here wins the league. Whoever loses faces an almost impossible task.

Verdict: The biggest game of Arsenal's season. Potentially the title-clinching moment in spirit.

Matchweek 34 — Saturday 25 April: Arsenal vs Newcastle United (Home)

Back at the Emirates, Newcastle arrive as a dangerous opponent sitting 9th with 42 points. Eddie Howe's side are no pushovers, but this is a game Arsenal will be expected to win, particularly if they have already beaten City the week before. A home win here — with Arsenal potentially on 76 or 79 points depending on the City result — could bring the title within touching distance or even confirm it mathematically, depending on how City's results have gone.

Potential title-clinching match: Yes, under certain scenarios.

Matchweek 35 — Saturday 2 May: Arsenal vs Fulham (Home)

Another home fixture, another winnable game. Fulham sit 11th with 41 points, a mid-table side with little to play for except pride. If Arsenal have been picking up points as expected, this match — played at the Emirates on a May afternoon — is a very serious candidate for the moment the title is confirmed. The stars could align perfectly here: three consecutive home games, a packed stadium, a beatable opponent, and enough points on the board to mathematically seal the deal.

This is one of the most likely title-clinching matches of the run-in.

Matchweek 36 — Saturday 9 May: West Ham United vs Arsenal (Away)

A trip to West Ham, who are currently in the relegation zone with just 29 points from 30 games. The London Stadium visit could be a routine away win — or, if the title is still not confirmed, a nervy afternoon with everything at stake. West Ham will be fighting desperately for survival, which always makes these fixtures unpredictable. Still, Arsenal's quality should tell.

If the title has not been clinched before this fixture, expect a massive Arsenal away following and a very special atmosphere.

Another realistic title-clinching candidate, particularly if results have been inconsistent.

Matchweek 37 — Sunday 17 May: Arsenal vs Burnley (Home)

Burnley are currently 19th and firmly in the drop zone with just 20 points. A home game against the division's second-worst team, in the penultimate round of the season — this has title party written all over it if Arsenal have not already confirmed top spot. Even if Manchester City have stayed remarkably close by this point (which the mathematics make almost impossible), Arsenal would almost certainly get the job done here.

The ultimate backstop. If the title has not been won before this game, it almost certainly will be here.

Final Day (Matchweek 38) — Sunday 24 May: Crystal Palace vs Arsenal (Away)

The traditional 17:00 kick-off on the final day of the Premier League season. Crystal Palace away. If Arsenal reach this game as champions, Selhurst Park will still be an occasion to remember — the final chapter of a historic season. If somehow the title is still not confirmed (an extraordinary scenario given the mathematics), this would be one of the most dramatic final days in Premier League history.

For Arsenal fans, the hope is that this fixture is a celebration rather than a decider.

---

The Mathematics: When Can Arsenal Officially Be Champions?

Arsenal need 86 points total to make it mathematically impossible for Manchester City to catch them (since City's maximum is 85). Here is how the clinching timeline could play out under a realistic scenario where Arsenal win most matches:

Fixture	Date	Arsenal Points (if W)	City Max Points	Title Confirmed?
vs Bournemouth (H)	Sat 11 Apr	73	85	No
vs Man City (A)	Sun 19 Apr	76	82*	No — but very close
vs Newcastle (H)	Sat 25 Apr	79	79*	Possible (on GD)
vs Fulham (H)	Sat 2 May	82	76*	YES — if City drop points
West Ham vs Arsenal (A)	Sat 9 May	85	73*	YES — almost certainly confirmed
vs Burnley (H)	Sun 17 May	88	85 max	CONFIRMED regardless of City
Crystal Palace vs Arsenal (A)	Sun 24 May	91 (max)	85 max	Already confirmed

*City's maximum assumes they win all remaining games from that point forward.

The key takeaway from this table: Arsenal vs Burnley on Sunday 17 May is the absolute latest Arsenal can clinch the title, even in the most pessimistic scenario (Arsenal draw two matches and lose one between now and then). In a more optimistic — and more likely — scenario, the title could be confirmed as early as the West Ham fixture on 9 May, or even the Fulham game on 2 May if City have been dropping points along the way.

---

The Most Likely Title-Clinching Match: Our Verdict

Taking into account Arsenal's fixture list, City's remaining schedule, and the typical rhythm of a Premier League title race, here is our assessment of the most likely moments the Gunners become champions:

🏆 Prime Candidate: Arsenal vs Fulham — Saturday 2 May (Home)

Three consecutive home games from 11 April to 2 May, against Bournemouth, Newcastle and Fulham. If Arsenal win all three (and City drop even a handful of points across their fixtures in the same period), the Gunners could be confirmed champions at the Emirates against Fulham. A warm May afternoon, a full house at the Emirates, the trophy waiting in the wings — this is the scenario Arsenal fans are dreaming of.

🏆 Strong Candidate: West Ham vs Arsenal — Saturday 9 May (Away)

Away from home, but still very much in London. If the title is not yet confirmed by the time Arsenal travel to West Ham, they will need just a point from a side fighting relegation. The away end will be packed. This fixture is almost certain to see Arsenal either lift the title or come within touching distance of it.

🏆 The Decider in Spirit: Manchester City vs Arsenal — Sunday 19 April (Away)

While this match may not mathematically confirm the title in one single moment, it is the game that will define the narrative. Win at the Etihad, and Arsenal will almost certainly be champions. Lose, and the nerves will return. This is the biggest match of the season for both clubs.

🎉 The Celebration Locked In: Arsenal vs Burnley — Sunday 17 May (Home)

Even in the most pessimistic scenario, Arsenal can clinch the title at home against Burnley. In this situation, it would be the penultimate home game of the season, with the Emirates serving as the perfect backdrop for a 22-year wait coming to an end. If you can only go to one match this season, this one is your insurance policy.

---

Why Arsenal Fans Should Book Tickets Now

Demand for Arsenal tickets during a title run-in will be extraordinary. The Emirates Stadium holds just over 60,000 supporters, and home games against Bournemouth, Newcastle, Fulham and Burnley will sell out almost immediately once the scale of this moment becomes clear to the wider football world.

For fans travelling from abroad — and Arsenal have one of the most global supporter bases in world football — the window of opportunity to be part of history is narrow. Whether you choose to target the direct showdown against Manchester City on 19 April, the probable title party against Fulham on 2 May, or the ultimate backstop against Burnley on 17 May, acting quickly is essential.

This is not a moment that comes around often. Arsenal's last league title arrived in May 2004. An entire generation of fans has grown up without experiencing a championship celebration. For those who have waited two decades, the time to book your place in history is now.

---

Conclusion: Dare to Dream

Arsenal are nine points clear with seven games to go. The mathematics are overwhelmingly in their favour. The fixtures, while not without their challenges, particularly the trip to the Etihad, are manageable for a squad of Arsenal's quality. Mikel Arteta has built something special at the Emirates, and the 2025/26 season looks set to be its crowning moment.

The question is not really if Arsenal will win the Premier League. The question is when — and where you will be when it happens.

Don't miss it.