Arsenal’s recent title near-misses may come down to one key factor, according to Gabriel Jesus, who believes experience has been the missing ingredient in their push for Premier League glory.
The Brazilian forward has drawn on his time at Manchester City to explain why Mikel Arteta’s side have fallen short in recent seasons, despite consistently challenging at the top of the table.
Gabriel Jesus explains Arsenal title shortfalls
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Meets podcast, Jesus pointed to the lack of title-winning experience within the Arsenal squad as a decisive factor.
“After the first one it was easy… there was a mix of players who were very experienced. Today at Arsenal, it is more young players. Obviously, they never won the Premier League before.” — Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League for three consecutive seasons and recently lost the Carabao Cup final, reinforcing a pattern of falling just short in key moments.
Jesus believes that once the team breaks through and secures a first title, the psychological barrier could disappear.
“We win the first Premier League, then everything will be much easier because the pressure is still there.” — Gabriel Jesus
Experience gap compared to Manchester City
During his time at Manchester City, Jesus was part of a squad filled with experienced, title-winning players. That environment, he suggests, made a significant difference when it came to handling pressure during decisive stages of the season.
By contrast, Arsenal’s current squad is younger and still developing, which can affect decision-making in high-pressure moments.
Based on recent matches we’ve covered, Arsenal have shown strong consistency across much of the campaign, but occasional dropped points have proven costly.
Key moments highlight mentality challenge
Jesus referenced a recent 2-2 draw against Wolves as an example of where Arsenal have struggled to maintain control in key situations.
“We should win this game… and then we draw. We start to think. It is something that stays on our heads.” — Gabriel Jesus
Such moments, he explained, can trigger doubt within the squad, particularly given their recent history of narrowly missing out on major honours.
Having followed Arsenal closely this season, their ability to respond to setbacks has improved, but maintaining that composure consistently remains a challenge.
However, it remains too early to determine whether this season will mark a turning point.
Players must take more responsibility on the pitch
While backing Arteta’s management, Jesus made it clear that responsibility ultimately lies with the players during matches.
“The players need to talk more, take more ownership… he passes us the tactics, but on the pitch it is on us.” — Gabriel Jesus
This emphasis on leadership and communication suggests that internal accountability could be key to overcoming past shortcomings.
Why this matters for Arsenal’s title push
Arsenal currently sit at the top of the Premier League table, putting them in a strong position to finally secure silverware.
| Recent Seasons | Arsenal |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 2nd |
| 2023/24 | 2nd |
| 2024/25 | 2nd |
| 2025/26 | 1st (current) |
source: league data – 2 April 2026
The consistency is clear, but turning that into a title remains the final step.
From the last few weeks of Arsenal’s campaign, performances have suggested a growing maturity, but the decisive phase of the season will ultimately test that progress.
Key Insights
- Gabriel Jesus believes lack of experience has cost Arsenal in title races
- Arsenal have finished second in the league for three straight seasons
- He argues winning once could remove psychological pressure
- Players are being urged to take more responsibility on the pitch
- Arsenal are currently leading the Premier League
What’s next for Arsenal?
Arsenal will look to maintain their position at the top as the season enters its final stretch, with upcoming fixtures likely to define whether they can convert their lead into a title.
Maintaining focus and managing pressure will be central to their chances.
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