Arsenal have enjoyed a flying start to their season, with seven wins from eight games putting them in the top 10 best openings to a Premier League campaign.
Here are those 10 sides quickest out of the blocks (Manchester United are nowhere to be seen) and how it ended for the others…
10) Arsenal 2022/23 – 21 points
W7 D0 L1 F20 A8 GD+12
Average goals scored: 2.5
Average goals conceded: 1
Final position: ?
Arsenal have started the season in fine fettle and, unsettlingly, don’t seem destined to implode at any moment. Manchester City will probably still walk the league now they are getting into their groove, but the Gunners’ start looks oddly sustainable.
9) Newcastle United 1995/96 – 21 points
W7 D0 L1 F17 A4 GD+13
Average goals scored: 2.13
Average goals conceded: 0.5
Final position: Runners-up
Kevin Keegan’s Entertainers captivated us all with a dramatic plot twist in the spring. After opening up a 12-point lead, they caved in to Manchester United’s sheer force of presence, as Eric Cantona hauled the Red Devils level with the Magpies before dashing for the line.
8) Chelsea 2012/13 – 22 points
W7 D1 L0 F19 A6 GD+13
Average goals scored: 2.38
Average goals conceded: 0.75
Final position: 3rd
After winning the Champions League the season before, Roberto Di Matteo’s Blues sprinted out of the blocks. But after matchday eight, they blew up spectacularly. They went seven without a win in the league and jeopardised their Champions League prospects which prompted Roman Abramovich to axe Di Matteo and hire Rafa Benitez as interim boss. Benitez wasn’t a popular appointment but he steadied the ship and dragged the Blues to a top-four finish while winning the Europa League.
7) Chelsea 2014/15 – 22 points
W7 D1 L0 F23 A8 GD+15
Average goals scored: 2.88
Average goals conceded: 1
Final position: Champions
Jose Mourinho’s men never let up, losing only three games all season, the first defeat coming in December at Newcastle. The title was wrapped up with three games still remaining and the Blues strolled to the finish line, eight points ahead of City.
6) Newcastle United 1994/95 – 22 points
W7 D1 L0 F25 A8 GD+17
Average goals scored: 3.13
Average goals conceded: 1
Final position: Sixth
The Toon made the best start to any top-flight season in their history and they stayed top until mid-November. Then they won only once in 11 games and sold Andy Cole to Manchester United. Keegan’s men recovered some composure to hold third place until six games from the finish line. Then they lost it again, slipping out of the European places on the final day.
5) Arsenal 2004/05 – 22 points
W7 D1 L0 F26 A7 GD+19
Average goals scored: 3.25
Average goals conceded: 0.88
Final position: Runners-up
Unbeaten the previous season, the Invincibles started the new campaign in similar vein, setting a new English division record before being beaten at the 50th attempt by Manchester United in not-at-all controversial circumstances. Upon the end of their unbeaten streak, the Gunners’ form dipped and their defence creaked. Chelsea took over at the summit from where they never fell, despite Arsenal ending the season with eight wins in nine games.
4) Manchester City 2011/12 – 22 points
W7 D1 L0 F27 A6 GD+21
Average goals scored: 3.38
Average goals conceded: 0.75
Final position: Champions
City didn’t taste defeat until mid-December at Chelsea and Roberto Mancini’s men retained top spot through the winter as they sought their first Premier League title. Then they sh*t themselves to allow United to go top, only for the Red Devils to make an even bigger mess of their own bed, resulting in Aguerooooooo Sunday.
3) Manchester City 2017/18 – 24 points
W7 D1 L0 F29 A4 GD+25
Average goals scored: 3.63
Average goals conceded: 0.5
Final position: Champions
