Is It Better to Finish 3rd Than 2nd For Three Straight Years?

New Episode of Pitch Picks Out Now:

As many of you know, my Arsenal fandom is still relatively new. However, it hasn’t taken me long to realize that this team has a reputation for finishing second. Last season was my first year watching, and I witnessed them fall just short of the title. Apparently, the year before that, they were in an even stronger position—practically guaranteed to win the league—before they completely collapsed. Now, once again, they find themselves in prime position for yet another second-place finish.

At this point, I’d almost prefer they finish third rather than endure the disappointment of being a "glorified runner-up" for a third consecutive year. Sure, finishing second comes with a slightly larger financial reward, but as a fan, I’d gladly trade a bit of prize money to avoid the endless runner-up memes flooding my feed for the next four months. The reality is becoming painfully clear: this team just doesn’t seem to have what it takes to win the league. If that’s the case, what’s the point of finishing second when third place still guarantees Champions League qualification?

Maybe I’m being irrational—maybe this is just the frustration talking. But honestly, I’d rather be called crazy than feel the embarrassment of watching my team fall short year after year. At some point, second place stops feeling like progress and starts feeling like a cruel joke. So, if we’re not going to win it all, why not at least spare ourselves the agony of being so close, yet so far, once again?