Ranking Every Arsenal Premier League Season from Worst to Best

Ranking Every Arsenal Premier League Season from worst to best is no easy task, given the club’s rich history in England’s top flight. From the highs of title-winning campaigns, including the legendary Invincibles season, to the lows of mid-table struggles and European heartbreak, Arsenal has experienced it all. This definitive ranking takes into account league position, points, standout performances, and unforgettable moments to determine where each season stands. So, let’s dive in and relive the triumphs, setbacks, and defining moments of every Arsenal Premier League season since 1992.

32. 1994/95 – 12th place

Arsenal’s worst-ever Premier League season saw them finish 12th, their lowest league position in the modern era. George Graham was sacked in February following a financial scandal, leaving Stewart Houston to take over as caretaker manager. The team struggled for consistency, with 51 points from 42 games, and an early exit in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final to Real Zaragoza made it a truly forgettable campaign. Despite Ian Wright finishing as the club’s top scorer, Arsenal ended closer to the relegation zone than the title race, marking this as their worst Premier League season to date.

31. 1992/93 – 10th place

Arsenal’s first-ever Premier League season was underwhelming, as they finished 10th with just 56 points. Despite boasting a solid squad featuring Ian Wright, Paul Merson, and Tony Adams, the Gunners struggled for consistency in the league. However, the season was somewhat salvaged by domestic cup success, as Arsenal won both the FA Cup and League Cup, beating Sheffield Wednesday in both finals. This campaign is remembered more for its cup triumphs than its poor league finish.

30. 2020/21 – 8th place

A frustrating season under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal finished 8th for the second consecutive year, missing out on European football for the first time in 25 years. The team managed 61 points, showing inconsistency throughout the campaign. Despite a strong end to the season, poor performances early on, including a dismal home record, cost them dearly. The Europa League semi-final exit to Villarreal, managed by former boss Unai Emery, was another major disappointment. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe emerged as key players, but the season ultimately fell below expectations.

29. 2019/20 – 8th place

A chaotic season saw Unai Emery sacked in November after a disastrous run of form, with Freddie Ljungberg briefly taking over before Mikel Arteta was appointed in December. Arsenal finished 8th, their lowest position in 25 years at the time, managing just 56 points. Defensive issues and inconsistency plagued the campaign, but Arteta’s arrival brought some stability. The FA Cup triumph, with wins over Manchester City and Chelsea, provided a silver lining, securing Europa League qualification despite the poor league finish. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the standout performer, finishing with 22 league goals.

28. 1995/96 – 5th place

The final season before Arsène Wenger’s revolution, Arsenal finished 5th under Bruce Rioch, securing UEFA Cup qualification. Despite a modest 63-point haul, the campaign is best remembered for the arrival of Dennis Bergkamp, who initially struggled but later showed glimpses of brilliance. Ian Wright was once again the club’s top scorer, netting 23 league goals. However, tensions between Rioch and the board led to his dismissal at the end of the season, paving the way for Wenger’s transformative era.

27. 2017/18 – 6th place

Arsène Wenger’s final season in charge of Arsenal ended in disappointment, as the Gunners finished 6th with 63 points, their lowest finish under his management. Defensive frailties and poor away form plagued the campaign, with Arsenal failing to win a single away game in 2018 until the final day. The Europa League semi-final exit to Atlético Madrid denied them a route back to the Champions League. The season did, however, see the arrivals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, signaling a shift in Arsenal’s attack. Wenger’s emotional departure in May 2018 marked the end of a historic 22-year reign.

26. 2021/22 – 5th place

A season of progress and frustration, Arsenal finished 5th with 69 points, narrowly missing out on Champions League football after a late collapse. Mikel Arteta built a young and exciting squad, with Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Martin Ødegaard playing key roles. However, a crucial North London Derby defeat to Tottenham and a loss to Newcastle in the final weeks proved costly. Despite the disappointment, Arsenal’s performances signaled a return to competitiveness, setting the foundation for future success.

25. 2018/19 – 5th place

Unai Emery’s first season in charge showed early promise, with a 22-game unbeaten run, but Arsenal ultimately finished 5th with 70 points, just one point off Champions League qualification. A poor end to the season, including defeats to Crystal Palace, Wolves, and Leicester, saw them throw away a top-four finish. The Europa League final offered redemption, but a humiliating 4-1 loss to Chelsea left the Gunners without silverware and another year in the Europa League. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were the standout performers, but defensive weaknesses defined the campaign.

24. 2016/17 – 5th place

A historic but disappointing season saw Arsenal finish 5th with 75 points, missing out on Champions League football for the first time under Arsène Wenger. Despite finishing with a strong FA Cup victory over Chelsea, league inconsistency and a humiliating 10-2 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16 overshadowed the campaign. Alexis Sánchez had a sensational year, scoring 24 league goals, but defensive frailties and fan protests against Wenger defined the season. The late switch to a back-three formation brought temporary improvement, but it wasn’t enough to secure a top-four finish.

23. 2005/06 – 4th place

Arsenal secured 4th place on the final day with 67 points, edging out Tottenham in the famous “Lasagne-gate” incident. This season marked the final year at Highbury, and while league form was inconsistent, Arsenal made history by reaching their first-ever Champions League final. A heroic run saw them keep 10 consecutive clean sheets, but a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in Paris ended their European dream. Thierry Henry, in his final season before leaving for Barcelona, scored 27 league goals, but the campaign ended with mixed emotions as Arsenal prepared to move to the Emirates Stadium.

22. 2006/07 – 4th place

Arsenal’s first full season at the Emirates Stadium was one of transition, as they finished 4th with 68 points. Thierry Henry struggled with injuries and departed for Barcelona at the end of the season, signaling the end of an era. The emergence of Cesc Fàbregas as the team’s key playmaker provided optimism, but inconsistency against lower opposition and a lack of firepower cost them in the title race. Arsenal did reach the League Cup final, but a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea denied them silverware. The season laid the foundation for Wenger’s next-generation squad but ultimately lacked major success.

21. 2008/09 – 4th place

Arsenal finished 4th with 72 points, securing Champions League qualification, but never truly challenged for the title. The departures of Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb, and Gilberto Silva weakened the squad, while Cesc Fàbregas, now captain, struggled with injuries. A 21-game unbeaten league run helped secure the top four, but heavy defeats to Chelsea (FA Cup semi-final) and Manchester United (Champions League semi-final) exposed the team’s limitations. Andrey Arshavin’s four-goal performance at Anfield was a season highlight, but Arsenal ended another year without silverware.

20. 2010/11 – 4th place

A season that promised so much but collapsed spectacularly, Arsenal finished 4th with 68 points. The Gunners were in title contention until February but suffered a devastating League Cup final loss to Birmingham City (2-1), which triggered a dramatic decline. A painful Champions League exit to Barcelona, along with key injuries to Cesc Fàbregas and Robin van Persie, saw Arsenal win just two of their last 11 league games. Samir Nasri and Jack Wilshere had standout seasons, but this campaign became symbolic of Arsenal’s struggles to convert potential into trophies.

19. 2012/13 – 4th place

A turbulent season saw Arsenal finish 4th with 73 points, edging out Tottenham on the final day thanks to Laurent Koscielny’s winner against Newcastle. The campaign was overshadowed by the sale of Robin van Persie to Manchester United, who went on to fire them to the title. Arsenal endured a slow start, but a strong 10-game unbeaten run to close the season secured Champions League qualification. Santi Cazorla was the standout performer in his debut season, while the club’s defensive improvement in the final months ensured they maintained their top-four status.

18. 2013/14 – 4th place

Arsenal finished 4th with 79 points, spending 128 days at the top of the table before injuries derailed their title challenge. A 6-0 loss to Chelsea on Arsène Wenger’s 1,000th game and heavy defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City exposed their weaknesses against top sides. However, the season ended on a high as Arsenal ended their nine-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup, coming from 2-0 down to beat Hull City 3-2 in the final. Aaron Ramsey was the star of the season, delivering clutch performances before scoring the cup-winning goal at Wembley.

17. 2014/15 – 3rd place

Arsenal secured 3rd place with 75 points, their highest league finish since 2011, and guaranteed automatic Champions League qualification for the first time in years. A slow start cost them a serious title challenge, but a strong second half of the season, including an eight-game winning streak, saw them climb the table. The season was highlighted by a dominant FA Cup final victory, as Arsenal thrashed Aston Villa 4-0 to defend their title. Alexis Sánchez, in his debut season, was sensational, scoring 16 league goals and a stunning strike in the FA Cup final.

16. 2009/10 – 3rd place

Arsenal finished 3rd with 75 points, briefly challenging for the title before injuries derailed their momentum. Robin van Persie missed a large chunk of the season, while Cesc Fàbregas had his best individual campaign, scoring 15 league goals and providing 15 assists. A memorable last-minute winner against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg raised hopes, but a Lionel Messi masterclass (4 goals) in the second leg ended their European dreams. Despite moments of brilliance, Arsenal lacked squad depth to sustain a serious title challenge.

15. 2011/12 – 3rd place

Arsenal finished 3rd with 70 points, recovering from a disastrous start that included an 8-2 humiliation at Manchester United. Robin van Persie was the hero, scoring 30 league goals and almost single-handedly dragging Arsenal to Champions League qualification. A crucial 5-2 comeback win over Tottenham at the Emirates sparked momentum, helping the Gunners overtake their North London rivals in the final stretch. Despite an early Champions League exit and another trophyless season, Van Persie’s brilliance made this a memorable campaign before his controversial move to Manchester United in the summer.

14. 2007/08 – 3rd place

Arsenal finished 3rd with 83 points, their highest total since the Invincibles season, but ultimately fell short in the title race. Led by a young and exciting squad featuring Cesc Fàbregas, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Mathieu Flamini, the Gunners were in first place for most of the season. However, a horrific leg break for Eduardo against Birmingham in February derailed their momentum, leading to a collapse in form. Despite playing some of their best football under Wenger, Arsenal ended four points behind champions Manchester United, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.

13. 1996/97 – 3rd place

Arsenal finished 3rd with 68 points in a season that marked the beginning of a new era under Arsène Wenger, who took over in October 1996. The team showed glimpses of promise, with Dennis Bergkamp beginning to shine, while Ian Wright finished as the club’s top scorer with 23 league goals. However, inconsistency and defensive lapses cost them a serious title challenge. The season laid the foundation for what was to come, as Wenger’s influence became evident in the team’s fitness, style of play, and tactical approach, setting up future success.

12. 1993/94 – 4th place

Arsenal finished 4th with 71 points, improving on their disappointing debut Premier League season. While their league campaign lacked consistency, the highlight of the season was their European success, as they won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, defeating Parma 1-0 in the final thanks to a stunning Alan Smith volley. Defensively, George Graham’s side remained solid, conceding just 28 goals, but their attack struggled, with only 53 league goals scored. This season is best remembered for its European triumph, which remains Arsenal’s last major continental trophy.

11. 1999/00 – 2nd place

Arsenal finished 2nd with 73 points, but never seriously challenged Manchester United, who won the league by an 18-point margin. The Gunners struggled for consistency in the league, with Thierry Henry finding his feet in his debut season, scoring 17 Premier League goals. European disappointment defined the campaign, as Arsenal were eliminated from the Champions League group stage, then suffered a heartbreaking UEFA Cup final defeat to Galatasaray on penalties. Despite flashes of quality, this season was a frustrating one, with Wenger’s side finishing trophyless.

10. 2000/01 – 2nd place

Arsenal finished 2nd with 70 points, once again falling short to Manchester United, who won their third consecutive league title. Despite an exciting attack led by Thierry Henry (17 league goals) and Robert Pires, defensive issues, including a 6-1 thrashing at Old Trafford, exposed their weaknesses. Arsenal did reach the FA Cup final, but a late collapse against Liverpool saw them lose 2-1, with Michael Owen scoring twice in the final minutes. The season ultimately set the stage for the club’s dominance to come, as Wenger’s squad continued to evolve.

9. 2002/03 – 2nd place

Arsenal finished 2nd with 78 points, surrendering the title to Manchester United despite leading the table in March. The Gunners looked poised to defend their crown but suffered a late-season collapse, winning just four of their last nine games. Despite this, they won the FA Cup, beating Southampton 1-0 in the final, securing back-to-back cup triumphs. Thierry Henry was sensational, scoring 24 league goals and winning the PFA Player of the Year award. This season was the prelude to Arsenal’s greatest-ever campaign, as they would go unbeaten the following year.

8. 2015/16 – 2nd place

Arsenal finished 2nd with 71 points, their highest league finish since 2005, but this season is remembered as a massive missed opportunity. With traditional rivals struggling, the title race was wide open, yet Arsenal failed to capitalize, allowing Leicester City to claim a historic Premier League triumph. A stunning 2-1 win at the King Power Stadium in February seemed to put Arsenal in pole position, but inconsistency and a loss to Manchester United’s youth squad (3-2) at Old Trafford derailed their momentum. Mesut Özil (19 assists) and Alexis Sánchez starred, but finishing behind Leicester made this season feel like a failure.

7. 2022/23 – 2nd place

Arsenal finished 2nd with 84 points, their highest total since the Invincibles season, but ultimately fell short in the Premier League title race to Manchester City. Mikel Arteta’s young squad led the league for 248 days, playing electrifying football with key performances from Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Jesus. However, injuries to William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu disrupted the defence, leading to a late-season collapse with costly draws against Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton. Despite the disappointment, the season marked Arsenal’s return as a serious contender, laying the foundation for future success.

6. 2023/24 – 2nd place

Arsenal finished 2nd for the second consecutive season, once again pushing Manchester City in the Premier League title race. Mikel Arteta’s squad showed continued growth, improving defensively with the addition of Declan Rice, while Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Jesus remained key attacking threats. The team set a club record for Premier League clean sheets, demonstrating their evolution into an elite unit. Despite another near-miss in the title race, Arsenal solidified their status as one of England’s top teams and continued building towards future success.

5. 1998/99 – 2nd place

Arsenal finished 2nd with 78 points, just one point behind Manchester United, in one of the closest title races in Premier League history. Defensively, the Gunners were outstanding, conceding just 17 league goals, the fewest in the division. However, a lack of attacking depth cost them, as they managed only 59 goals compared to United’s 80. A heartbreaking FA Cup semi-final replay defeat to Manchester United, featuring Ryan Giggs‘ famous solo goal, ended their double hopes. Despite the disappointment, Dennis Bergkamp, Nicolas Anelka, and Patrick Vieira shone, keeping Arsenal highly competitive.

4. 2004/05 – 2nd place

Arsenal finished 2nd with 87 points, trailing Chelsea, who dominated the season under José Mourinho, finishing with a record 95 points. Despite a remarkable 17-match unbeaten run to start the season, Arsenal’s lack of consistency against mid-table sides and a critical loss to Chelsea at Highbury in February sealed their fate. However, the FA Cup was secured with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in a dramatic penalty shootout, marking Arsenal’s 10th FA Cup win. Thierry Henry again led the way with 25 league goals, but the campaign was overshadowed by Chelsea’s relentless dominance.

3. 1997/98 – 1st place (Double Winners)

Arsenal claimed 1st place with 78 points, securing their first Premier League title under Arsène Wenger in a historic season. The Gunners were unbeaten in their final 12 games, finishing strong to edge out Manchester United. The campaign was capped off with a 2-0 FA Cup final victory over Newcastle, completing a league and cup double. Dennis Bergkamp was sensational, scoring key goals, while Patrick Vieira, David Platt, and Ian Wright provided essential leadership. This season marked the beginning of Arsenal’s dominance under Wenger, blending technical brilliance with steel.

2. 2001/02 – 1st place (Double Winners)

Arsenal finished 1st with 87 points, winning the Premier League and the FA Cup, completing their second league and cup double under Arsène Wenger. The Gunners were unstoppable in the second half of the season, securing the title with two games to spare, including a famous 1-0 win at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Thierry Henry was in sensational form, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 24 goals, while Robert Pirès, Dennis Bergkamp, and Freddie Ljungberg contributed with crucial goals and assists. The FA Cup final saw Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-0, securing Wenger’s second double and cementing this as one of the club’s finest seasons.

1. 2003/04 – 1st place (Greatest Arsenal Season Ever – Invincibles)

Arsenal’s 2003/04 season remains one of the greatest achievements in Premier League history, as they finished 1st with 90 points, going unbeaten throughout the entire league campaign. This remarkable feat earned them the title of the “Invincibles”, a term that has become synonymous with excellence. Under Arsène Wenger, the team played scintillating football, with Thierry Henry leading the charge, scoring 30 goals and being named PFA Player of the Year. Key contributions from Robert Pirès, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, and Freddie Ljungberg ensured the team had both brilliance and balance. Arsenal’s incredible consistency and ability to win in tight matches made them almost untouchable, finishing 11 points ahead of second-place Chelsea. The Invincibles remain Arsenal’s crowning achievement in the Premier League, a testament to the club’s skill, unity, and resilience.

Conclusion

In reflecting on the journey of Arsenal’s Premier League history, we’ve seen incredible highs and devastating lows, from the unbeaten Invincibles of 2003/04 to the more recent struggles to reclaim the title. These seasons tell a story of resilience, brilliance, and missed opportunities. Arsenal has had its fair share of drama, and while some campaigns are remembered for their greatness, others for the “what could have been.”

Looking at the 2024/25 season so far, it’s been a disappointing one for the Gunners. While there were hopes for a serious title challenge following last season’s impressive finish, it now seems that second place behind Liverpool is a likely outcome, which would mean Arsenal finishing behind the 1999/00 season. That campaign, where they finished 2nd and failed to challenge Manchester United for the title, was a frustrating one, and if things continue as they are, this current season might slip into a similar category.

Though it’s far from over, the 2024/25 season might not hold up to the memorable heights of Arsenal’s past, and the squad will need to regroup in future seasons to once again fight for the top spot. But, as history shows us, Arsenal fans know to never give up hope for the next great season on the horizon.