5 Games from This Season Arsenal Wish They Could Have over Again

Arsenal's outstanding form has pushed them tantalisingly close to league leaders Chelsea.

However, the title is almost certain to be beyond them. The Gunners endured a difficult start to the campaign, winning just two of their first eight fixtures. They are certain to end the season wondering what might have been.

In this piece, we name the results that will give Arsenal fans the most sleepless nights. Had Arsenal won these five games, they'd currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Read on to discover the matches Arsenal may rue come May.

Leicester 1-1 Arsenal, August 31

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Having lost Olivier Giroud to a broken leg, Arsenal were forced to start the game with the inexperienced Yaya Sanogo up top.

Had Danny Welbeck been signed earlier in the summer, the Gunners might have had a more formidable attacking lineup to take on Leicester.

Given the position of Nigel Pearson's team at the bottom of the table, Arsenal will surely feel they ought to have taken three points from this game.

Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham, September 27

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It will rankle with the Arsenal fans that Tottenham have cost them four points this season.

Defeat at White Hart Lane is painful but understandable, but failing to beat Spurs at the Emirates Stadium was a major disappointment.

Arsene Wenger made a bewildering decision to leave Alexis Sanchez on the bench for the majority of this game. One wonders if he would do things differently if he had his time again.

Arsenal 2-2 Hull City, October 18

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Although Danny Welbeck's late equaliser spared Arsenal's blushes, they really ought to have beaten Hull at home.

In this match, Arsenal's vulnerability to the counter-attack was exposed. It was a weakness that would cost Arsenal in several games during the first half of the season, and that was only addressed by introducing Francis Coquelin to the starting XI.

Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United, November 22

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When Manchester United visited Arsenal in November, the Gunners had a chance to deliver a hammer blow to Louis van Gaal's nascent reign.

Instead, they allowed themselves to get sucker-punched and handed United the momentum that would see them launch their bid for Champions League qualification.

Arsenal showed in the FA Cup that they have what it takes to beat United so will be disappointed they didn't manage it on this occasion. 

Stoke 3-2 Arsenal, December 6

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This was a day to forget for Arsenal Football Club.

Not only did a disastrous first-half collapse cost the Gunners the game, but there were ugly scenes in the aftermath in which Arsene Wenger was abused by his own supporters.

Arsenal would love a second stab at this fixture, to right wrongs both on and off the pitch.