For what it's worth, Arsenal know exactly what a Premier League title race in this era feels like and the experience should provide clarity for next season.
Having emerged as surprise contenders following an impressive first half of the campaign, as well as leading the way heading into the March international break, taking just 12 points from a possible 27 has ultimately proved costly for the Gunners and their hopes of being crowned champions.
Sure, it remains to be seen if this season was Arsenal's best chance to end their long wait for another Premier League title as the race could be even more competitive next year with a resurgent Liverpool, Chelsea - likely under Mauricio Pochettino - Manchester United and Newcastle United all expected to pose a threat to Manchester City.
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However, considering similar was said with regard to Mikel Arteta's side missing out on a top-four finish last season, perhaps they will use the disappointment of the Nottingham Forest result as a springboard to mark the 20-year anniversary of the Invincibles in style.
But it will be tough. Since Arsenal last won the league - the famous 2003/04 season where they went the whole campaign unbeaten - the required points total to top the table has often been between around high 80's to 90. Although, since Man City's period of dominance began, that total doesn't necessarily guarantee success.
With that in mind, below is a closer look at the number of points teams being crowned champions of England have managed to achieve in the last five full seasons and what it may tell us about where the Gunners have to improve in order to win the race next season.
2017-18: 100 points
Arsenal weren't even genuine top-four contenders let alone involved in the Premier League title race in this particular season as they finished way off the pace as Guardiola's side were crowned champions by becoming the first side to ever reach 100 points and all of a sudden this was the new benchmark.
2018-19: 98 points
Another poor season by the Gunners' own standards as they missed out on a top-four finish by a single point and also lost to Chelsea in the Europa League final. But the title race was perhaps the most exciting one of all time as despite Liverpool amassing 97 points, it still wasn't enough to wrestle the title away from Man City.
2019-20: 99 points
A season that ended in July 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic that halted the campaign for over three months. The pause didn't help Arsenal's cause as they finished on 56 points and in eighth place - their lowest finish since 1995, whilst Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a league title but narrowly missed out on matching Man City's centurions' feat.
2020-21: 86 points
A significant decrease to the required points total to be crowned Premier League champions as for the first time since the 2015/16 campaign, a figure lower than 90 was enough to get the job done. Even so, Man City still managed to finish 12 points clear of second place.
2021-22: 93 points
Normal service was resumed last season as Man City and Liverpool went head-to-head all the way to the final day where Guardiola's side came from 2-0 down at home to Aston Villa to win and retain the Premier League title by once again breaking the 90-point barrier.
But just like in 2018-19, the Reds had to settle for the runners-up prize despite amassing over 90 points.
Now, Man City may have been crowned this season's champions with their current total of 85 points but it's worth pointing out they've done so with three games to spare which means they're on track to finish on over 90 points once again. Therefore, Arsenal have to aim for that mark next season and even if they do, it might not be enough.
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