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📸 (PA Wire)
Arsenal will be top of the table on Christmas day. This is after their 2-0 win against Wolves at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Man City’s shock loss at home to Brentford which ended their 16 game unbeaten streak meant that whatever happened Arsenal would remain at the top.
Martin Odegaard’s brace helped the Gunner’s extend their lead to 37 points. Manchester City sit second with 32 points. This is Arsenal’s best ever start to a Premier League season.
With a one month break due to the World Cup, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal can keep up with their good form or whether they will slip. Mikel Arteta’s men and the Arsenal fans definitely have an eye on the Premier League title given that Since the 2010/11 season, nine teams who topped the Premier League table at Christmas have gone on to lift the title. However, Arsenal haven’t gone on to win the title in any of the last five times they’ve topped the table at Christmas (1951/52, 1986/87, 1989/90, 2002/03 and 2007/08). Can they buck the trend this time?
Interestingly, Man City who trail the Gunners have been crowned champions three times having not been top at Christmas (2013/14, 2018/19 and 2020/21).
Much has been said of how Arsenal do not have quality in their squad depth in comparison to City who boast a bench that can comfortably start in for any team in the Premier League outside of the top 6. This said, Arsenal’s activity in the January transfer window could be pivotal in their quest to clinch the Premier League title.
The second half of the season could turn out to be one of the best we’ve witnessed.
So how do the Gunner’s next four fixtures compare to City’s?
Arsenal face West Ham at home on December 26, then Newcastle away, Brighton then Tottenham.
Manchester City resume their campaign away to Leeds on December 28 then face Everton at home, then Chelsea and Manchester United.
