The biggest London clubs of the Premier league, Arsenal and Chelsea are back at the summit of the table. Currently both the clubs sit second and third respectively below league leaders Liverpool. Coincidentally both the Gunners’ and the Blues’ are on the same points, have the same goal difference as well. However, due to alphabetical order the Gunners’ are above the Blues’.
Chelsea fans have trolled their rivals and labelled them as “Alphabet FC”. Enzo Maresca’s side have finally found some form and are back in business this season. They are in red hot form and are scoring goals for fun nowadays. Defensively the team has improved a lot as well. On the other hand, their rivals Arsenal are also doing quite well domestically and in Europe as well. It feels that the Premier league table will turn out to be more competitive in the coming weeks.
The “alphabetical rule” explained:
Currently, Arsenal are placed above Chelsea in the league table due to alphabetical order. However, according to the Premier league rule book, it won’t be the same during the end of the season. We have seen similar incidents happening in the past as well.
The main criteria for league table standings are points, goal difference and goals scored by each team. H2H record is counted if the teams still cannot be separated using these criteria. The team which has more wins in the season will be above in the standings. If even the H2H is same, then a playoff match takes place to determine the winner.
Arsenal and Chelsea have identical records after 13 matches…
Which means Arsenal are only above Chelsea on alphabetical order! 😅 pic.twitter.com/UtHomhoUFY
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 2, 2024
In the history of Premier league, there hasn’t been a playoff match to decide the winner so far. Can this season prove to be something different? Liverpool are currently 9 points clear at the top and look to be rampaging but we aren’t even halfway through the season.
Defending champions Man City are struggling, and have been toppled by Brighton in the table. Arsenal and Chelsea must cash in this opportunity and try to close down the gap with Liverpool to give themselves something to compete this season. The Gunners’ have gone agonisingly close to winning the league last two seasons and they will be looking to lift the trophy this year.
This year the Premier league table is looking very competitive, with just 11 points gap between the top six teams in the league. Surely by the end of December, we’ll know who’s the firm favourite to lace their ribbons on the Premier league trophy.
Comparing Chelsea with Arsenal this season: Who have been the better team?
Chelsea and Arsenal are on the same points so far, and even have the same difference. However, which side is the better side among these two? Which side looks more threatening? Let’s have a look:
Offensively, both Chelsea and Arsenal have been excellent, scoring 26 goals so far. However, Arsenal have overperformed their xG (expected goals) this season. Chelsea have a superior xG and have created more clear cut chances. The Gunners’ rely on set piece opportunities more than open play opportunities to score goals.
https://twitter.com/AFTVMedia/status/1863583910661169254?t=PBDm6RYAh1g\_-tCFvOJAXA&s=19
Also, Chelsea attempt more shots on goal than their rivals. Thus, Chelsea look more promising in the attack that Arsenal this season. However, defensively I think Arsenal are more superior. Although both the teams have conceded the same amount of goals, Arsenal have conceded one the least xG in the league. This shows, that the Gunners’ are more superior at the back.
Comparing between the two sides, I feel that the Gunners’ have been a bit pragmatic this season. Whereas Chelsea have got the spark in them, and look to be hungry to win this season. Although, I feel Chelsea have been better than the Gunners’ so far, it is likely that Mikel Arteta’s men will finish above the Blues’ this season. The Gunners’ are way more experienced than the Blues’.
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