2024 has been memorable for both positive and negative reasons at Arsenal, with some fixtures standing out above others.
Mikel Arteta’s side will be eager to go on a winning streak in the Premier League after the festive season.
Arsenal have fallen below Liverpool this term, both with regard to the Premier League table and, standards on the pitch.
As the Gunners spend Christmas Day third in the pile below the Reds and London rivals Chelsea, Arteta will be imagining what could have been if some results were different.
Three of the worst Arsenal games of the 2024 calendar
From Arsenal’s VAR drama against Brighton in the 1-1 at the Emirates earlier in the 2024/25 season to losing away to Bournemouth, there have been some tough results of late.
That being said, when it comes to the worst of 2024, there are several candidates from the 2023/24 campaign – here are three of the worst of the year.
Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa
It would be difficult to mention a game other than Arsenal’s 0-2 defeat to Aston Villa at the Emirates in April.
With the Premier League title race entering the home straight, Arteta watched his side fluff their lines in N5 when it mattered most, losing to Unai Emery’s squad.
Knowing the game was a must-win, the pressure was on the hosts however, the life was squeezed out of the Emirates when Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins scored late on – crushing title hopes for the second consecutive year.
Bayern Munich 1-0 Arsenal
Away from the Premier League was a difficult pill to swallow in the Champions League.
For all of Arsenal’s progression seen over the 2023/24 calendar, old traits were exposed at the Allianz Arena as Bayern Munich beat the Gunners 1-0 to progress to the semi-finals.
Several Arsenal stars struggled against Bayern, in what was a mundane defeat that saw Arteta’s side have plenty of chances to score, but ultimately the game was the hosts’ to lose.
A lack of firepower turned into a men-against-boys contest, which was a wake-up call in what had been a season of growth for the most part.
Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal
Some will not agree with the decision to put Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium with Manchester City in the pile.
The decision is based on how things could have looked had the Gunners held out for a win at City, which was so nearly achieved.
The game represented the birth of the ‘dark arts’ claim, as John Stones tore into Arsenal’s tactics at full-time, in what was a contest that unleashed great controversy.
Erling Haaland famously taunted Arteta and Arsenal players, in a result that would have been much sweeter had the Gunners won.
Three points at the Etihad would’ve been a statement, and looking back, it could’ve handed Arsenal the confidence to remain tight to Liverpool.
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