Two Weeks, Two Finals, Two Losses: Arsenal’s 2025–26 Title Dreams Collapse

It has been a rough few weeks for table-toppers Arsenal, as they miss out on the opportunity to add two more cups to their extensive collection. The Gunners lost 2-0 to Manchester City two weeks ago in the Carabao Cup finals, only to be eliminated from the FA Cup by Southampton in the quarterfinals yesterday. It is almost as if Arsenal has forgotten about any other trophy that can be considered inferior to the Champions League or Premier League. The team has proven unmovable from the highest spots in both tournaments, yet losses like these showcase that the Gunners are not without flaws or unbeatable.

Arsenal was thoroughly beaten 2-0 by Manchester City two Sundays ago, marking the Cityzens’ fifth consecutive EFL Cup win. Two goals by Nico O’Reilly managed to deliver the final blow to Arsenal at Wembley Stadium. Hope was not entirely lost for the Gunners after that defeat, who still had the FA Cup quarterfinals in front of them. It was a surprising event, to say the least, to watch Champions and Premier League leaders lose against a Championship team. Southampton delivered an unexpected 2-1 victory against Arsenal, in an evening that will surely not be forgotten for years to come by fans of the Saints. Goals by Ross Stewart and Shea Charles outshone Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres’ attempt to equalize the scoreboard. The Gunners once more walked away with no cup in their hands.

Arsenal’s last cup win was in August 2020, when they defeated Chelsea 2-1, earning them the FA Cup. Since then, despite being very competitive contenders of both the Premier League and Champions League, the Gunners have not walked away with a tournament title. Arsenal's lack of trophies is certainly remarkable given the remarkable run they have had during this season’s Premier League. Within this tournament, the Gunners have only lost three games out of 31, winning the vast majority and tying just seven. Gunners can only be annoyed by this contradiction, which validates their club’s quality, but provides no physical proof of it. Will Arsenal finally pronounce itself victorious this season, or will they continue trophy-less? Fans need not fret; the question will be answered soon.