As of Sunday, February 22, 2026, Arsenal remains at the top of the Premier League standings, though their grip on the title race has tightened following a dramatic midweek slip-up. Mikel Arteta’s side currently holds a five-point lead over second-place Manchester City, who possess a crucial game in hand.
The Gunners missed a golden opportunity to move seven points clear on Wednesday night after squandering a two-goal lead at Molineux. A 90th-minute equalizer from Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Tom Edozie resulted in a -2-2 draw, marking the first time in Premier League history that a league leader has failed to win after leading by two goals against a team in the relegation zone.
Premier League Title Race: Current Top 3
| Position | Club | Points | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | – | Leaders |
| 2 | Manchester City | -5 | Game in Hand |
| 3 | Liverpool | – | Chasing |
North London Derby and Matchday 27
The focus now shifts to today’s high-stakes North London Derby. Arsenal travels to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face a Spurs side led by new manager Igor Tudor, who is making his debut in the dugout. A victory for Arsenal would restore momentum and potentially extend their lead to eight points before Manchester City faces Newcastle United.
Mikel Arteta received a significant boost ahead of the derby, with reports indicating that Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are fit to return to the starting lineup. However, pressure is mounting on summer signing Eberechi Eze, who has struggled for form during this critical February stretch.
Historical Context and Season Outlook
Arsenal is searching for their 14th top-flight league title and their first since the “Invincibles” campaign of 2003/04. While they remain the most successful club in FA Cup history with 14 trophies, the Premier League title remains the ultimate priority for the Emirates faithful.
Beyond the league, Arsenal’s schedule remains packed. The club has been drawn to face League One side Mansfield Town in the FA Cup fifth round. Additionally, the Arsenal Women’s team has successfully advanced to the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals, maintaining the club’s presence on the European stage.
With only 12 matches remaining in the 2025/26 season, supercomputer predictions suggest a neck-and-neck finish between Arsenal and Manchester City, with the title potentially being decided by a margin of fewer than three points.