All eyes on February: Arsenal chase history as title race enters crucial phase

It shapes up to be a historic campaign for Arsenal, who remain in contention for an unprecedented quadruple as they head into a season-defining February.

Despite a stomach-wrenching 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United last week, the Gunners are leading the way in the Premier League, sitting four points clear of nearest competitors Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta’s men bounced back from that loss with a 3-2 home win over Kairat Almaty in midweek UEFA Champions League action, setting a new club record at Europe’s top table in the process.

Indeed, Arsenal finished the league phase as the only team with 24 points, having won eight consecutive matches in Europe’s most prestigious club competition for the first time.

Arsenal’s formidable European form has established them as the leading candidates to win the coveted ‘Big Ears’ trophy for the first time in club history.

Priced at 7/2 to ascend the throne, Arteta’s charges are narrowly ahead of Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich (9/2) and La Liga pacesetters Barcelona in the pecking order (7/1).

However, the Gunners will not feature in European action next month after securing an automatic last-16 spot, but they’ll be heavily involved in domestic competitions.

Mid-Season Title

Arsenal last won the League Cup trophy in the early 1990s, yet after beating Chelsea 3-2 in the first leg of their semi-final, they’re one step away from reaching the final for the first time since 2018.

The Gunners will host the return leg on February 3, looking to extend their nine-game unbeaten run against the Blues in all competitions, which also includes a 1-1 league draw in November.

Playing at the Emirates should give Arteta’s side further confidence, considering they’ve won their last three home meetings with Liam Rosenior’s team, scoring nine goals while conceding just one in return.

William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, who missed the game against Kairat, will be at Arteta’s disposal for this high-stakes showdown, as confirmed by the Spanish manager in his last press conference.

FA Cup Glory

Arteta inspired Arsenal to a record-breaking 14th FA Cup title in his first season in charge, but they have since failed to qualify for the grand final.

Though it may not be among the Gunners’ priorities, they’ll still be odds-on favourites to knock out lower-league Wigan Athletic in round four.

Following a 4-1 rout of Portsmouth in their curtain-raising fixture, Arsenal will take on Wigan on February 15, marking the first encounter between the sides since 2014.

Arsenal had to navigate a dreaded penalty shootout that time, yet this should be a routine task, not least because they’ll have home advantage.

Top Priority

Arsenal fans can already sense the smell of their first Premier League triumph since the 2003/04 season, with the Gunners setting the pace from day one.

However, Arteta should know better than to let complacency creep in now that his men stand at the helm of their destiny, even though their closest challengers are tightening the noose.

A pair of London derbies against Brentford and, especially, Tottenham Hotspur are likely to test Arsenal’s title credentials.

Four consecutive victories at the Gtech Community Stadium bode well ahead of the Gunners’ cross-capital trip on February 12, only five days after a must-win home clash against newcomers Sunderland.

There’s no need to highlight the importance of the iconic North London derby, which could prove decisive in shaping Arsenal’s title fate, with the omens looking good for the Premier League leaders.

Arsenal have beaten Tottenham in their last three away league clashes and could intensify pressure on Thomas Frank, who has tried to defend Spurs’ lack of spending in January (via ESPN).

Despite standing up for the club owners, the former Brentford boss is walking a tightrope, with his side stranded in the Premier League’s lower reaches, having won just 30% of their league matches this season.

Arsenal February 2026 Fixtures:

• Arsenal vs Chelsea (03 Feb 26) (League Cup)
• Arsenal vs Sunderland (07 Feb 26) (Premier League)
• Brentford vs Arsenal (12 Feb 26) (Premier League)
• Arsenal vs Wigan (15 Feb 26) (FA Cup)
• Tottenham vs Arsenal (22 Feb 26) (Premier League)

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