Since Arsenal handed the initiative in the title race to Manchester City on Sunday, one debate has split opinion: would finishing second represent a successful season for the Gunners?
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink claimed missing out would be a “disaster”, given they have been top for so long; Roy Keane said it would be a “huge disappointment” and “terrible”; while Gary Neville argued being runners-up would “still be an unbelievable season” for a young team who were fifth last year and have exceeded expectations. The debate sparked a lively response on social media.
Here, Standard Sport reporters have their say on a talking point that has divided fans and pundits.
Dan Kilpatrick
It will be disappointing and likely go down as a huge opportunity missed but should not be labelled as an embarrassment or a failure — even given their lead at the top.
Arsenal are one of the youngest teams in the League and competing against a nation state project, who essentially demand perfection from their rivals given their unmatchable resources.
Blowing consecutive two-goal leads is damming, but Arsenal are still on course for more than 90 points — enough to be champions in most seasons before City and Liverpool dramatically raised the bar.
At the start of the season, no one expected Arsenal to challenge for the title and they have already done astonishingly well to have it still in their hands, particularly after their wobble in February.
Simon Collings
Finishing second to this City side cannot be viewed as a failure. Arsenal have done brilliantly to last the pace, and the fact is that City have raised the bar when it comes to getting over the line. In 1997-98, Arsenal won their first Premier League title with 78 points, just four more than they have now with seven games to go.
Indeed, if they take 17 points from their final seven games, they will set a new club record in the Premier League, eclipsing the Invincibles’ tally of 90 points. They have already scored more goals than that unbeaten title-winning team from 2003-04.
No one predicted Arsenal would be title challengers at the start of the season and a top-four finish was the target. It would be a case of disappointment and not disaster if they finish second, despite leading the way for so long.
A young side has room to improve, will be strengthened and will return to the Champions League, but a chance like this might not come again
Nizaar Kinsella
There is no glory in being nearly men in football. Tottenham were accused of being “bottlers” when they missed out on the title to Leicester in 2015-16, and Spurs were never actually top of the table that season. So there is no point sugar-coating what a missed opportunity this will be for Arsenal. They have been out in front all season and may never get a chance like this again.
Of course, no one expected Arsenal to win the title this season, but given the position they got themselves into (and after being 2-0 up against Liverpool and West Ham) it would be a failure if they do not go on to win it.
Next season they will have the distraction of Champions League football and there will probably never be another season in which Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and, arguably, Manchester United are so poor.
Malik Ouzia
Coming second after pushing City all the way would exceed all expectations, but flip the question on its head and ask whether West Ham or Leicester would call finishing 17th a “success”, just because of the position they have ended up in with a quarter of the season to play?
Nottingham Forest or Bournemouth might, because they began the year with different levels of ambition — and the same distinctions apply at the top of the table. That is why missing out now would hurt Arsenal so much.
For any team to challenge City has been a Herculean task over the past five years, let alone a club like Arsenal, who have been miles away throughout that period. A young side has room to improve, will be strengthened and will return to the Champions League, but a chance like this might not come again.
