FootyChatter.com

Arsenal drew 2-2 with Birmingham City on 23 February 2008 OK, Arsenal fans, you may want to look away now. We've been digging into the stats and this season has started to look remarkably - some might say eerily - similar to 2007-8, when Arsenal collapsed to finish third having led by five points after 26 games. We aren't doing this to troll those of you who are Arsenal fans. This is where our research has led us. And, Gunners supporters, it may mean nothing. But bear with us as we talk you through it. .. . Back in 2008, Arsene Wenger's side were top with 63 points, well ahead of Alex Ferguson's Manchester United in second. Similar to this season, their 27th game involved a trip to the West Midlands to face a side battling relegation - in that case, Alex Mc Leish's Birmingham City. After an awful injury to Arsenal striker Eduardo and a goal from 10-man Birmingham's James Mc Fadden, an 18-year-old Theo Walcott scored his first goals in the Premier League to leave the leaders 2-1 up heading into injury time. But a foul by Gael Clichy meant the Gunners conceded a penalty and allowed Mc Fadden to score a 95th-minute equaliser – just a minute later than the one Tom Edozie scored for Wolves on Wednesday. After drawing a game they had dominated, Arsenal defender William Gallas famously sat down on the pitch in what Match of the Day commentator Jonathan Pearce described as "a state of disbelief". Fast forward 18 years, and we have Arsenal's disappointing 2-2 draw at Wolves on Wednesday. Again they led 2-1 heading into injury time. It wasn't a penalty this time, but on 94 minutes, Gunners defender Riccardo Calafiori turned debutant Tom Edozie's shot into his own net. While Gabriel Jesus shoving Yerson Mosquera on Wednesday wasn't anywhere near as dramatic, it shows many Arsenal players were similarly stunned and frustrated after the final whistle in that game. That 2-2 draw on 23 February 2008 meant their lead at the top was cut to just three points when Manchester United won 5-1 at Newcastle, while Wednesday night's result gives Manchester City the chance to close the gap to just two points if they win their game in hand. This current Arsenal side will hope the similarities end there. The Gunners went on to win just one of their next seven Premier League games 18 years ago. Such a poor run of results caused them to drop to third place, nine points behind new leaders Manchester United. Despite winning their final four games, Arsenal finished the season in third place with 83 points, four behind champions Manchester United and two behind runners-up Chelsea. Arsenal's players have an immediate opportunity to show things will be different this time around with the north London derby this weekend, followed by a home game against Chelsea. After that, their only game against the current top six is one that is likely to be even more pivotal in the title race – a trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City on 18 April. With just two wins in their last seven games and echoes of that infamous result against Birmingham in their draw last night, the pressure is on for Arsenal. But with the future still unwritten, this current crop of Arsenal players still have the chance to put the ghosts of 2008 to rest by becoming Premier League champions for the first time in 22 years. 'Bottle word will be used' as Arsenal blow title advantage Latest Arsenal news, analysis and fan views Ask about Arsenal - what do you want to know? Forest double three up at Fenerbahce, Palace in front at Zrinjski Winter Olympics: Day 13 live with six golds to be won 'Anyone found guilty of racism should not be in the game' Emily Brontë's haunting classic of doomed love and revenge New clues emerge in the search for Dr Ruja Ignatova Jack Thorne's bold retelling of a dystopian classic Mumford & Sons rock the Piano Room with a Taylor Swift cover How Szoboszlai became Liverpool's key man Is Buttler's form a worry? England's T20 World Cup so far analysed From Stoke to the Arctic Circle - 30 years of BBC's Murray behind mic Captain Palmer or Joao Pedro? FPL team of the week Weekly sports quiz: How long did Dyche last at Forest? Olympic trials to £6m deal - Shields' full-circle moment Gordon channels Shearer after breaking his record Vinicius: Eight years at Real Madrid, 20 cases of alleged racist abuse 'How on earth have they done that? ' - Morrison's miracle shot steals win for GB. Video'How on earth have they done that? ' - Morrison's miracle shot steals win for GB What do curlers do when they're not at the Olympics? 'Some people think it's live' - how is the commentary in EA Sports FC 26 put together? 'Absolutely stunning! ' Norway's Frostad wins 'best big air final of all-time' Video'Absolutely stunning! ' Norway's Frostad wins 'best big air final of all-time' FA Cup heroes Macclesfield make memories to last a lifetime 'We really messed up' - does European football need more balance? 'People shouldn't be dying just for existing' - Gauff on US issues Swearing, illicit filming & rule changes - what next in curling cheating row? Why first gold on snow has been just a matter of time GB aim for curling semis & Atkin starts halfpipe medal bid - Thursday's guide A 'very special' FA Cup win and why managing Ronaldo is 'easy' Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.