Since Mikel Arteta took the helm at Arsenal in December 2019, the club has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from a period of instability following Arsene Wenger’s long reign and Unai Emery’s spell into a consistent Premier League title challenger. After three successive second-placed finishes, the Gunners are now firmly established among the league’s elite, a position underscored by a recent analysis of points accumulated since Arteta’s appointment.

The comprehensive data, compiled by Football 365 and highlighted by GiveMeSport, reveals Arsenal’s impressive ascent over 28 different teams that have featured in the English top-flight during this period. As of May 26, 2024, the Gunners sit third in a hypothetical league table spanning Arteta’s tenure, showcasing their sustained performance.

A new Premier League hierarchy emerges

The top five teams in this unique ranking illustrate the dominant forces in English football over the past four-and-a-half seasons:

• 1. Manchester City: 247 games played, 550 points

• 2. Liverpool: 247 games played, 503 points

• 3. Arsenal: 247 games played, 490 points

• 4. Manchester United: 247 games played, 415 points

• 5. Chelsea: 247 games played, 403 points

This places Arsenal just 13 points behind Liverpool and 60 points adrift of perennial champions Manchester City, who have won the Premier League four years in a row prior to this context. Crucially, Arsenal’s 490 points represent a significant gap over traditional rivals, claiming 75 more points than Manchester United and 87 more than Chelsea over the same number of games.

Read also: Carragher backs VAR decision in Arsenal's win over West Ham, citing past precedent

Beyond the top contenders

The analysis also sheds light on the performance of other clubs. Aston Villa, with 374 points from 247 games, have notably outpaced Tottenham, who have accumulated 367 points from 246 matches. Both Brighton (337 points) and Newcastle United (359 points), each from 247 games, find themselves comfortably in the top half of this extended table, reflecting their strong performances in recent seasons.

Further down, Wolves occupy 13th place with 278 points from 247 games. Leicester City, now two leagues below the Premier League, recorded 200 points from 173 games during their time in the top flight under Arteta’s reign, while Nottingham Forest, who recently secured their top-flight status for another season, amassed 182 points from 150 games. Interestingly, Sunderland, despite playing only 36 games, managed to secure 48 points. At the bottom of this comprehensive table are Ipswich Town (38 games, 22 points), West Brom (38 games, 26 points), Luton Town (38 games, 26 points), Norwich City (59 games, 31 points), and Watford (59 games, 48 points).

Arteta, who played 150 games for Arsenal and retired at the club in 2016, initially faced significant challenges as manager, including a disastrous start to the 2021-22 season. However, his ability to turn the team’s fortunes around is evident in these figures, cementing Arsenal’s position as a formidable force in the Premier League era.

Sources: www.givemesport.com

Read also: St Kilda faces injury challenges

Read also: LeBron James ponders future after Lakers' playoff exit