Softfootball analysts are surprised about claims from some Arsenal supporters suggesting football has become less interesting because Arsenal are dominating this season.
According to the analysts, the term “dominance” in football requires a far deeper and longer period of control than simply leading the table during one campaign.
What true dominance looks like
Softfootball points to several European leagues where dominance has clearly been established over long periods.
Barcelona and Real Madrid control in Spanish Laliga
In La Liga, the title race since 2000 has largely been controlled by Barcelona and Real Madrid. Between them they have won the majority of league titles in the modern era, with only occasional interruptions from Atlético Madrid and Valencia.
Bayern’s control in Germany
In the Bundesliga, the level of dominance is even more evident. Bayern Munich have won 19 league titles since 2000, including a remarkable run of nine consecutive championships between 2012 and 2020.
Other teams such as Borussia Dortmund, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and VfL Wolfsburg have occasionally broken Bayern’s streak, but the Bavarian club remains the overwhelming force in Germany.
Italian giants controlling Serie A
In Serie A, dominance has largely been shared by historic clubs such as Juventus, Inter Milan, and AC Milan. Juventus notably won nine consecutive league titles between 2012 and 2020, a period that defined their control over Italian football.
PSG’s modern era dominance in France
In Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain have dominated the league since their takeover by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011.
The Paris club has secured the majority of French league titles during that period and remain the most successful club in France in recent years.
Premier League competition remains open
In contrast, the Premier League has remained highly competitive since 2000. Several clubs have shared the league titles, including:
- Manchester City
- Manchester United
- Chelsea
- Liverpool
- Leicester City
Arsenal themselves have won only two Premier League titles since 2000 (2002 and the famous 2003–04 “Invincibles” season).
Softfootball’s view on Arsenal’s current position
While Arsenal are currently leading the 2025/26 Premier League table, our analysts argue that one strong season cannot yet be described as dominance.
True dominance, they say, is defined by multiple league titles, consistent trophy wins, and long-term control of domestic competitions.
Over the past decade in England, clubs such as Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea have collected major trophies including league titles, domestic cups, and European titles.
While Arsenal may currently be enjoying an excellent season, sustained success over several years would be required before the club can genuinely be considered dominant.
