Just 13 match rounds into a thrilling 2024/25 Premier League season, we’re already scratching our heads over a fascinating table anomaly. There are two locks on the league records in English football: Arsenal and Chelsea. Then why are the Gunners in second when the Blues are going down (or however we can phrase it) languishing in third? We break this mystery apart, just a little, with a pinch of humor and a dash of wit.
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
Arsenal and Chelsea: A Tale of Identical Records
However, Arsenal and Chelsea are both on 25 points, having won seven, drawn four, and lost twice. Their goal differences of 26 goals for and 14 against make them inseparable. As Premier League standards go, this leaves them joint second. Alas, alphabetical order chops in for ranking. A little magic of the alphabetical variety means Arsenal edges Chelsea. A 1914 decision to change the club’s name from “The Arsenal” to just “Arsenal” is being sipped on somewhere in football heaven.
Arsenal and Chelsea: The Rules of the Premier League Table
So let’s take a look at the rules C.4 on C.7 of the Premier League Handbook, which govern season’s table positions. Here’s the breakdown:
Points: The first point system eliminates the need for clubs to be input.
Goal Difference: If points are tied, then the difference between goals scored and conceded counts.
Goals Scored: Still tied? More goal scorers win.
Same Records: Teams share the position if even goals scored are identical.
At this point in the season, Arsenal and Chelsea tick all these criteria, so they are technically equal. Yet alphabetical order edges them forward and keeps them in second. Fans of linguistic justice might find this ironic: Tactics or talent aren’t the reason Chelsea doesn’t get second place; it’s the letters C and A.
What Happens at Season’s End?
The table positions get sky-high as the season winds up. Qualification to Europe, avoiding the drop, and, of course, the magic words vertex: champions—all hinge on crystal clear criteria. That’s where Rule C.17 kicks in:
Head-to-Head Matches: The ranking is determined by points from matches played against each other.
Away Goals: If points are tied head to head, away goals in these matches are the way they’re decided.
Playoffs: A playoff on neutral ground settles it if all else fails (and it never has…).
It also means that alphabetical order has no power to adorn or damn relegations. But let’s be honest: In fact, a playoff between two teams with equal records would be a footballing legend. Could 2024/25 actually be the season for history to happen?
Fans’ Reactions: The Alphabet Strikes Again!
Arsenal fans are having a ball with the alphabet’s advantage, with the A in Arsenal being used to stand for ‘Above Chelsea’ in social media filled with memes. On his part, Chelsea fans are sarcastically petitioning for the club’s name change to ‘Achelsea.’ Neutral fans? They’re just reacting and waiting for a playoff showdown. Football, after all, is partly about the drama of the off-pitch as much as any drama on it.
The Bigger Picture
This year appears to be another tight one with only seven points separating second from 13th. Arsenal and Chelsea have identical records, but it mirrors a very competitive league with every goal, point, and maybe even alphabetical position, mattering. Heading into May, we can promise more twists and turns, as well as more table-shaking surprises.
As Chelsea fans may quibble, however, Arsenal fans are just taking advantage of an alphabetical advantage for the moment; we’ll see who’s really second come season’s end. Let’s leave the banter until then!
For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on:
Recommended for you