Opinion
If anyone had told me that Arsenal would be top of the league since the end of matchday three in the English Premier League, I would give up an arm and a leg for that.
It wasn’t too long ago that Arsenal were languishing at 15th in mid December of 2020, or even last in August 2021 after a 5-0 thrashing against Manchester City. But as of now, Arsenal are at the top after eight games.
Here’s how the Gunners season has gone thus far in the top division of English football.
Matchday 1 vs Crystal Palace (away)
Having lost 3-0 the season before at Selhurst Park, there were bound to be nerves within the Arsenal squad. But, the ghosts of the past season weren’t visible at all. Arsenal dominated the proceedings as Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring.
Palace manager and former Arsenal legend Patrick Viera got his boys to play sharper in the second half as Palace put Arsenal under huge pressure. However, the Arsenal backline held their own before a late own goal sealed a 2-0 win for the Gunners.
Matchday 2 vs Leicester City (home)
From start to finish, it was an Arsenal masterclass. Gabriel Jesus led the way with a first half double and despite Leicester hitting back with goals in the second half, the Gunners ran away victorious 4-2.
Matchday 3 vs AFC Bournemouth (away)
Prior to the clash, Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard was facing a lot of flak from certain media outlets for his lack of goals and fear of shooting. By the 11th minute at Vitality stadium, Arsenal were up 2-0 thanks to an Ødegaard double.
William Saliba bounced back from his own goal the week before to score a brilliant goal as Arsenal won 3-0. With Manchester City drawing against Newcastle, Arsenal finished matchday three on top of the table.
Matchday 4 vs Fulham (home)
Against a newly promoted Fulham side, Arsenal dominated the first half, however the scoreline remained at nil all. Alexander Mitrovic took advantage of an Arsenal backline mistake and Fulham opened the scoring in the second half.
The Arsenal of old would’ve panicked and crumbled to a 2 or 3 nil loss. Not this Arsenal side. The Emirates faithful backed the home side and the Gunners came back from behind, with Gabriel Maghales scoring the winner in the 86th minute to ensure Arsenal won 2-1.
(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Matchday 5 vs Aston Villa (home)
It was a shooting day for Brazilian footballers at the Emirates, with Arsenal dominating possession once again, as Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring. But an equaliser from Douglas Luiz late in the second half threatened the Gunners to lose two points at home. But Gabriel Martinelli had other ideas, scoring in the 77th minute and sealing Arsenal’s fifth win in a row in the EPL.
Matchday 6 vs Manchester United (away)
In what was dubbed Arsenal’s biggest test of the season by former United players cum pundits, Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford chasing a win without Thomas Partey and Mohammed Elneny to accompany Granit Xhaka in midfield. Arsenal opened the scoring through Gabriel Martinelli, only for VAR to save United as Ødegaard was adjudged to have fouled Christian Eriksen in midfield. My response to the goal being disallowed?
Let’s just say I’ve seen worse be let off VAR, while yelling about 10 expletives in English and Bangla aimed at the TV.
Arsenal continued to dominate the game, but their high line was exposed by United’s counterattacks as United won 3-1.
Although Arsenal were handed their first loss of the season, the reaction from the players and fans showed panic stations were far away from being initiated, and that the loss was treated as a blip on the road.
Matchday 7 vs Everton (home)
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, all EPL games during matchday seven were suspended.
Matchday 8 vs Brentford (away)
Brentford away was another test for this young Gunners side. They had lost 2-0 there the season before and questions were raised on whether Arsenal could bounce back from their loss two weeks before. With Martin Ødegaard ruled out to injury, new signing Fabio Vieira was handed his first start in the Premier League. And boy did he shine.
Arsenal continued their season mantra of dominating proceedings, as goals from Saliba, Jesus and an absolute rocket from Vieira sealed a 3-0 win for Arsenal. Top of the league at the international break was nice. But something better was yet to come after the end of the international break.
Matchday 9 vs Tottenham (home)
A lot was said when Arsenal failed to secure Champions League football at White Hart Lane last season. And it was time to move on from the past. Arsenal gave Tottenham zero breathing space, before a Thomas Partey long range screamer saw Arsenal get the lead in the North London Derby.
Harry Kane continued his streak of disappearing in derbies at Emirates stadium before scoring a penalty to level things up before half time. With Antonio Conte at the helm for Spurs, maybe Tottenham could pull a rabbit out of the hat and somehow secure a 2-1 win at the Emirates.
But Arteta’s tactics ensured that wouldn’t happen. Martinelli kept on attacking the Spurs right hand defensive flank, making life hell for Emerson Royal before Jesus scored off a Hugo Lloris mistake. Royal was sent off soon after the hour mark and Conte’s substitutions soon after the red showed he had given up. Arsenal battered the absolute hell out of their opponents as they won 3-1.
Thomas Partey. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
In all honesty, the scoreline flattered Tottenham. They were never in the game bar a little spell where the scores were level after the half hour mark. Arsenal stamped their authority against their biggest rivals and are currently top of the Premier League table, with seven wins and one loss across eight completed games.
The Gunners next face Liverpool FC at home. Personally, Liverpool is the side I fear the most. While they have been incredibly inconsistent this season, they always have this knack of pulling off victories against Arsenal through five minute spells of absolute domination.
However, Arsenal start favourites. Ultimately, they are top of the table for a reason. If the Gunners are to pull off a victory against Liverpool, then I may start believing a little bit of a title race against Manchester City. However, you would be a madman not to put your money on Manchester City to be Premier League Champions.
But Arsenal have shown they’re a much better outfit than the one that nearly scraped through to Champions League last season. Gabriel Jesus is scoring goals for fun, the midfielders are scoring more often with Granit Xhaka almost playing as a second attacking midfielder in transition, while the likes of Ben White and William Saliba are solid at the back.
Josh Kroenke backed Mikel Arteta’s vision of a young core of players to take Arsenal back to its glory days, even when the results weren’t going Arteta’s way. Those glory days are still far away, but it sure is closer than what it was a few seasons.
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