For much of this season, it seemed inevitable that the Premier League trophy would be heading back to North London. Arsenal F.C. have not lifted the title since 2004, and their long wait looked set to end at last.

But football rarely follows a script.

A damaging run of results, capped by a dismal draw away to Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., has left the Gunners wobbling. Holding a 2-0 lead against a side rooted near the bottom with just nine points, Arsenal somehow contrived to throw it away. What should have been routine became chaotic. What should have been composed became nervous.

Instead of authority, there was anxiety. Instead of control, there was panic.

The equaliser — born from a dreadful mix-up between David Raya and Gabriel Magalhães — summed up the moment. Arsenal looked terrified, passive and lost. The nerves are no longer hidden; they are visible in every rushed clearance and hesitant decision.

With just two wins in their last seven league matches, Arsenal have allowed the chasing pack to close in. Manchester City F.C., far from their imperious best, remain within striking distance — and crucially, with a game in hand. A lead that could have been unassailable is now fragile.

The pressure is mounting. So what must Mikel Arteta do to steady the ship?

Bank on Kai Havertz

For two seasons, Kai Havertz operated as Arsenal’s starting centre-forward. He was never a classic No.9, but he brought work rate, intelligent movement and link-up play that elevated those around him.

In the summer, Arsenal invested around £60 million in Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP, hoping for a more clinical presence. It has not paid off.

Gyökeres works hard, but the step up has exposed clear flaws. His hold-up play has been inconsistent, his positioning unreliable, and too often he drifts through matches without real impact. Alarmingly, he has failed to register a shot on target in the majority of his league appearances. His goals have largely come against promoted or struggling opposition.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus has not looked the same since his injury troubles, and midfield depth has been stretched thin.

Arteta may not see Havertz as the long-term solution, but right now he is the best option available. Managed properly and kept fit, the German offers structure, pressing intelligence and cohesion — all of which Arsenal desperately need in a tense title run-in.

Platform the attackers better

Few of Arsenal’s forwards are in peak form. Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke have struggled for consistency. Jesus and Gyökeres have underwhelmed. Even Bukayo Saka has looked below his devastating best, while Leandro Trossard blows hot and cold.

There are legitimate questions about individual form — but the system must also be examined.

Arsenal’s wingers often remain glued to the touchline, isolated and predictable. Saka, arguably the club’s most dangerous attacker, spends long spells receiving the ball wide with multiple defenders between him and goal. Is that truly maximising his threat?

At the same time, the full-backs frequently occupy central attacking zones. Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapié and Jurriën Timber often underlap into the box, but this can leave the natural forwards disconnected.

Perhaps the solution is subtle rather than radical: give the wingers more licence to drift inside, allow Saka to operate closer to goal, and use the full-backs in more traditional overlapping roles to stretch play and create clearer attacking patterns.

Be braver in midfield

Arteta has built one of Europe’s most formidable defensive units. Arsenal have conceded remarkably few goals and kept clean sheets at an impressive rate. Defensive control is not the issue.

The problem is conservatism at moments when ambition is required.

Pairing Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi provides stability, but against deep-lying opponents it can be excessive. In matches like the one at Wolves, Arsenal did not need two holding midfielders. They needed incision.

Why not deploy Rice as the single anchor and place more creativity ahead of him? Eberechi Eze, signed from Crystal Palace F.C., has struggled to impose himself — but perhaps that is because he has rarely been trusted in his most natural advanced role alongside Martin Ødegaard.

A bolder midfield structure could help Arsenal overwhelm teams earlier in matches, reducing the likelihood of late-game nerves and defensive retreats.

Rotate more intelligently

Fatigue is becoming visible.

Zubimendi has played more minutes than any Arsenal outfield player this season, with Rice not far behind. Both have looked leggy in recent weeks. Yet alternatives remain underused.

Christian Nørgaard was brought in for experience and depth but has barely featured. He may not be spectacular, but he is reliable and seasoned in the Premier League. Giving him meaningful minutes — especially against lower-table sides — would ease the burden on Arsenal’s first-choice pairing.

The same applies in defence. Ben White has seen limited action, while Timber’s heavy workload appears to be catching up with him. White’s natural overlapping runs also complement Saka far more effectively, recreating a partnership that previously flourished.

Smarter rotation would not weaken Arsenal — it would sustain them.

The decisive weeks ahead

Title races are often decided as much by mentality as by tactics. Right now, Arsenal look like a team carrying fear rather than belief.

Arteta has built a side capable of winning the league. The defensive platform is there. The talent is there. But the margins are thin, and hesitation is costly.

Backing Havertz, freeing the attackers, being braver in midfield and trusting his squad depth may provide the spark required.

If Arsenal are to prevent another painful near-miss, their manager must act decisively — and quickly.