"While it is too early in the season to have reached peak 'squeaky bum time', many Arsenal supporters are no doubt literally or figuratively shifting in their seats. Sunday's home defeat by Manchester United was their third successive Premier League match without a win, and what appeared a commanding seven-point lead before the weekend has been reduced to four. Such is the fickle nature of modern football. But what does history tell us about Arsenal's title chances from what is still an enviable position?"
"The Gunners have been Premier League leaders at this stage of a season on three previous occasions but only went on to lift the title once - the Invincibles season of 2003-04, when they finished unbeaten. They had a two-point lead after 23 matches then. That was also the case in 2022-23, with Mikel Arteta's side extending their lead to eight points after 29 games, having played one more than Manchester City, only to capitulate during the run-in."
"The Premier League leaders have been at least four points clear at this stage of the season on 20 previous occasions - all but four of those went on to become champions. Newcastle famously blew a 12-point lead in 1995-96, while Manchester United relinquished a five-point advantage over Arsenal in 1997-98 before the roles were reversed five years later. Liverpool held a four-point lead in 2019 and were unbeaten over their remaining 15 games, winning 11, but were still edged out by a relentless Manchester City."
Arsenal lost at home to Manchester United, marking their third successive Premier League match without a win and reducing their lead from seven points to four. Arsenal have been leaders at this stage three previous times but secured the title only once, during the unbeaten 2003-04 season. The side also held a similar position in 2022-23 before collapsing in the run-in. Premier League leaders at least four points clear at this stage have gone on to become champions in the majority of past cases, though notable collapses and close finishes have occurred.
Read at www.bbc.com
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