Greatest Premier League title chokes of all time as Arsenal throw eight point lead to gift Man City hat-trick
ARSENAL’S collapse from an eight-point title lead to hand Manchester City a third successive crown has earned the Gunners a place in the all-time list of Premier League title blow-ups.
The Gunners even broke the record as the side leading the top-flight for the longest time in a season without winning it.
AlamyEddie Nketiah and Co looked set to end Arsenal’s 20-year title drought, only for Man City to end up clinching a third straight Prem crown[/caption]
Steven Gerrard’s slip against Chelsea in April 2014 is arguably the most famous ever individual error when it comes to title-turning momentsSky Sports
ReutersGunners’ boss Mikel Arteta comes to terms with title failure[/caption]
Arsenal topped the Prem for an incredible 248 days.
But Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest means Treble-seeking City are champions with three games to spare.
So how does this late turnaround compare to other heartbreak finales for clubs who built up big advantages in the English top-flight?
Here we assess the most famous and dramatic “chokes” in title history.
1995-96 Newcastle
Kevin Keegan’s entertainers were 12 clear of Manchester United with 15 games to go but a run of just two wins in eight games saw Fergie’s men overtake them and hold on in the run-in despite the “grey shirts” fiasco at Southampton.
2007-08 Arsenal
Arsene Wenger’s biggest frustration was his side’s implosion after being five points clear of the pack after 26 games. William Gallas’ sit-in at St Andrews was the start of a run of one win in eight and the Gunners faded to third behind United and Chelsea.
2011-12 Manchester United
City’s defeat at Arsenal left them eight points adrift with six games to play and surely out of it.
But United lost at relegation-bound Wigan, somehow drew 4-4 at home to Everton and were then downed by Vincent Kompany’s Etihad header.
Without that, there would have been no “Aguero moment”.
2013-14 Liverpool
Brendan Rodgers’ side needed seven points from their last three games to end that long wait for a first title since 1990.
But Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip gave Jose Mourinho and Chelsea something to crow about before Liverpool blew a 3-0 lead at Crystal Palace. City gratefully accepted the gift.
2022-23 Arsenal
Sunday’s capitulation against Brighton felt like the final shunt of a car crash collapse by Mikel Arteta’s men, top of the table for a record 93 per cent of the season.
Just nine points out of their last 21 is barely mid-table form when the door was wide open.
