Second in the Premiership, FA Cup finalists and Champions League quarter-finalists. By any measure a successful season. So why is it that the overriding feelings about Arsenal are disappointment and under-achievement?
Most clubs would have given anything for Arsene Wenger's Premiership record: third in his first season at Highbury, champions the next, second by a point the year after and still on course to finish runners-up for the third season in a row. But to a bored and expectant nation that is not good enough. For once the English are not prepared to salute a gallant loser.
What they want is a team to wipe the smile off the faces of the Old Trafford fat cats, who in Premiership terms have not only got the cream but the run of the dairy as well. Three years ago Arsenal were the equals of United, but even Wenger's famed managerial skills have failed to keep them there.
On Saturday the Arsenal manager was displaying a sense of resignation normally associated with top golfers chasing Tiger Woods. "I think you expect too much ofus," he pleaded. "It's not just Arsenal's responsibility to push Manchester United. There are 10 to 15 teams with the potential quality of Arsenal.
"We were too poor away," was one of Wenger's excuses. Another was injuries, another the team's problems dispatching more lowly opposition.
To that can be added the lack of quality in-depth in the Arsenal squad and the team's frequent inability to turn possession and chances into goals and points.
The farcical way in which a dominant Arsenal handed the title to United courtesy of two bizarre own goals against Middlesbrough summed up another season in which their only consistent feature has been their inconsistency.
Why? Well, Arsenal's side is less settled for a start. While United have accommodated just two new big name signings in the past two years - Fabien Barthez and Mikael Silvestre - Arsenal's squad has been overhauled with seven. In a similar vein, Arsenal have not fielded the same side two games running in the Premiership this season.
Then comes this suggestion from United's Silvestere: "The reason Arsenal haven't been able to keep pace with United is that, unlike us, they don't have enough English players in their squad."
Whatever the reason, on Saturday Arsenal jeopardised their quest for second place with an inept display that helped ease Middlesbrough's relegation worries.
In fact Boro, though determined and well-organised, scored more goals than they had shots on target as, first, the hapless Edu celebrated his home debut by deflecting Dean Windass' off-target drive into his net, then five minutes later Edu's fellow Brazilian Silvinho diverted in a hard, low cross for 2-0.
Early in the second half Alen Boksic's delightful back-heel set up Hamilton Ricard for number three.
ARSENAL: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Adams, Silvinho, Pires, Vieira, Edu (Wiltord 45), Ljungberg (Parlour 75), Henry, Kanu. Subs not used: Manninger, Luzhny, Cole. Booked: Henry.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Gavin, Ehiogu, Vickers, Karembeu, Okon, Ince, Windass, Gordon, Boksic (Mustoe 90), Ricard (Stamp 79). Subs not used: Marinelli, Crossley, Whelan. Booked: Okon. Goals: Edu 34 og, Silvinho 38 og, Ricard 58.
Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).
