Irrepressible City make history

Manchester City come from behind for their fifth title in six years en route to the treble

The history of football is littered with examples of teams snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Borussia Dortmund threw away this year's Bundesliga crown in spectacular fashion (more on page 62) while, in Premier League terms, Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United and Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool sides spring to mind. Now, according to some, they have a new rival for the title of biggest chokers: Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.

Yet to dismiss the Gunners simply as that does not tell the full story. True, they did lack mental toughness during the run-in-how else can you explain the two-goal leads thrown away at Liverpool and West Ham, the 3-3 draw with bottom-placed Southampton or the meek 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest that handed Manchester City the title? But the fact that they came as close as they did demands huge respect.

Arsenal's final tally of 84 points would have been enough to win the title in nine other Premier League seasons, including 1997-98 when they lifted the trophy for the first time. They raced out the blocks, picking up 50 points in the first 19 games and on track, at that rate, for a 100-point season. Arteta displayed impressive tactical innovations and smart recruitment in putting his side in the driving seat. So where did it go wrong? It was in April that the previously well-oiled machine began to show serious signs of creaking. The three draws mentioned above coincided with the injury of William Saliba, Arsenal's outstanding centre-back up to that point, while his deputy, Rob Holding, struggled to convince. Still, the Gunners travelled up to the Etihad to face City at the end of the month with a five-point lead and their destiny in their hands.