While there are multiple trophies that English soccer teams can win each season, everyone dreams of lifting the Premier League trophy. The FA Cup, for example, is a historic prize, but it just lacks that same je ne sais quoi of winning the league. Just ask Arsenal about that.

Despite having some cup triumphs in recent years, it’s been quite a while since the Gunners claimed the big prize at the end of the campaign. Just how long?

Let’s roll the tape.

Arsenal have won the league 13 times, but the most recent triumph came back in 2003-04

As one of England’s biggest clubs and a modern member of the big six, you’d expect Arsenal to have piled up plenty of silverware over the years. And, as a glance around the inside of Emirates Stadium can confirm, a good amount of the Gunners’ achievements have come in the league.

Before the modern Premier League was created, Arsenal played the majority of their football in the Football League First Division. The club enjoyed a great run during the interwar years, capturing the title in 1930-31, 1932-33, 1933-34, 1934-35, and 1937-38. After that dominant decade, success didn’t completely evaporate, but league titles did become a bit more sporadic.

The Gunners returned to the top of the First Division in 1947-48 and 1952-53. After a drought, they lifted the First Division trophy again in 1970-71. Then, after another lean time, a new Arsenal era began.

In one of the most dramatic moments in modern memory, the North London club claimed the title with a 2-0 victory over Liverpool in the final match of the 1988-89 season. Arsenal would win the league again in 1990-91 before briefly falling off the pace. Then, with Arsene Wenger at the helm, the Gunners topped the Premier League in 1997-98, 2001-02, and 2003-04. That final title carried extra significance, as Arsenal went the entire season without losing a match, writing their names in soccer history.

Since the early 2000s, though, a league title hasn’t returned to North London. There have been ups — like FA Cup triumphs — and downs — the club slipped out of the Champions League and endured some ugly, eighth-place finishes — but no Premier League trophies.

While winning a title is tough, Arsenal do seem to have reopened their Premier League window

Struggling to begrudge Arsenal success. Peaking at the right time while City and Liverpool rebuild or are in transition.

Would be more than worthy title winners.

— Amos Murphy (@AmosMurphy_) December 31, 2022

Although it might not be any solace to supporters who are desperately seeking a trophy, winning the Premier League is pretty tough. Only one club can claim the top spot, meaning that’s is possible for a genuinely good team to come up short. So, while Arsenal can’t guarantee a league title, it does seem like the North Londoners are in a good spot.

While it might have taken some conviction to trust manager Mikel Arteta during the start of his tenure, that trust is paying off. Arsenal have a passionate leader at the helm with a clear idea about how his squad should play football. That vision has been supported by a talented, young core of players and a few key veterans through the ranks. The likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and William Saliba should remain difference-makers for as long as they stay at the Emirates.

Nothing is certain in sports — an injury could take one of the Gunners’ most promising stars out of action for a year, or the business side of soccer could see other clubs surge ahead from the talent perspective — but a front office can lay the foundations to seize an opportunity when it presents itself. At this point, Arsenal appears to be in that sweet spot.

Maybe the Premier League title drought will come to an end under this current regime.