Statistics suggest that it’s all over for Wenger and co
Arsenal started last season in blistering form and it wasn’t until rain-sodden February that the cracks emerged in their title challenge. With the fixture list giving them a helping hand, everything was in place for another explosive start this year but after losing at home to Hull last week and escaping the Stadium of Light with a fortuitous point today, the Gunners could end the weekend as low as sixth, with Manchester United poised to overtake with their game in hand.
These stats suggest that Arsene Wenger might as well raise the white flag now:
In each of the three seasons that Arsenal won the Premier League, and in their near miss last year, they were in the top two after seven games.
In two of their title winning seasons, as well as last year, Arsenal went unbeaten through the first twelve games.
The last time Arsenal lost more than one of their first eight games - 2005-06 - they finished fourth, 24 points off champions Chelsea.
Just one of the teams Arsenal have faced this season finished in the top half last year, compared to four of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool’s first seven opponents.
Using the previous play-off winners Derby in place of Hull and last year’s 18th-placed side Reading in place of West Brom, Arsenal took nineteen points from the equivalent seven fixtures last season, compared to thirteen this year.
So are Arsenal out of the running already or are they just doing things the hard way this season? Let us know by voting below and leaving a comment.
Our brothers and sisters over at chickendinner are not just content with predicting an Arsenal victory tonight, they have gone one further and fixed their eyes on the Emirates’ scoreboard, foreseeing a 3-1 victory. Here’s why Hull’s bitches will bounce back:
1. While Porto have never lost at home to a British team in the Champions League, they have drawn one and lost nine of their ten away games there.
2. And that includes their meeting trip to North London two years ago when Arsenal saw them off 2-0 with goals from Barcelona Henry and Hleb.
3. Arsenal won all three home group games last season, scoring twelve goals.
4. Arsene Wenger’s side have only lost no more than one home game in three of the last four seasons.
The opening day results suggest a stormy path for ‘Arry
As the folks at Match of the Day kept stressing, it’s very difficult to tell how a team will fare in the coming season based on the opening matches. However, the chaps at chickendinner have donned their lab coats and booted up the huge science computer, and it looks like Portsmouth may not be enjoy another top eight finish this season..
» Portsmouth were bottom after one game in 2005-06 and ended up finishing just above the relegation zone in 17th.
» West Ham were relegated after starting the season with a 4-0 loss in 2002-03. Also, in the
