Arsenal is at the top Premier League after enjoying their best start to a campaign since the 2007/08 campaign.
Mikel Arteta‘s side have picked up 24 points out of a possible 27 on offer having won eight of their opening nine games.
Their only blip was the 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford – a ground they have won just once at in the top-flight since September 2006.
In truth, the Gunners were unlucky not to pick up a point as they were beaten on the counter-attack by Erik ten Hag’s ruthless Red Devils.
The Gunners beat Brentford away last month and then swept away Tottenhan at the Emirates.
A win in Sunday’s trip to Leeds would be the club’s best ever start to a Premier League season which was set during the 2007/08 term.
Only six teams in this stage of the season boast more points in Premier League history than Chelsea (04/05), Manchester City (17/18 & 11/12), Arsenal (4/05 & 07/08), Liverpool (19/20)
Only these two Arsenal teams failed to win the Premier League. The club is looking for a first title since 2004’s Invincibles.
Arsenal had won nine of the eight 2007/08 games and scored 25 points. Blackburn was their only loss.
After a late equalizer by Liverpool’s Cesc Fabregas, their tenth game saw them win at Anfield.
If Arsenal defeats the Whites at Elland Road, this weekend they will be able to seal their place in club’s history.
One of the most exciting Arsenal teams Arsene Wenger ever produced, the legendary Frenchman put his faith in young players – just as Arteta is doing now.
In stats obtained by Opta, the starting average age for Wenger’s team 15 years ago from their first nine fixtures was 24 years and 310 days.
Incredibly, Arteta’s side is younger than that of his former mentor’s, with his squad’s average age coming in at 24 years and 191 days.
Another eerily similar stat is the goals scored by the two teams, with Arsenal’s current team banging in 23 goals compared to the 21 from 07/08’s crop.
Though the current side have conceded ten goals – four more strikes than Wenger’s fledglings.
Wenger was a big believer in possession-based, free-flowing football. His team had 59% of the ball.
And Arteta is looking to follow in his footsteps in terms of the 72-year-old’s philosophy, with his table-toppers so far enjoying 57 per cent of the possession.
He has made just ten changes to his line-ups compared to Wenger’s 17 heading into the tenth game of the campaign.
Many have questioned whether this inexperienced side, who haven’t been involved in a title race in years, can sustain the pressure at the top.
Well history is in their favour as Arsenal’s 07/08 team, who came fourth the previous season after finishing 21 points behind champions Manchester United, ended up just four points shy of the Red Devils that year.
They finished the season in third place and would have won it if not for the spell in February and March, where they lost five matches in succession.
Eduardo suffered a terrible leg injury at Birmingham during the 2-2 draw. James McFadden scored a 95th-minute equaliser. This undoubtedly had a significant psychological effect on the young players.
After the whistle, William Gallas sobbed and sulked on the pitch. This was a sign of things ahead.
The result at St Andrew’s was followed by draws against Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Wigan before Arsenal were beaten away at Chelsea.
They still managed to win their final four fixtures and lost only three of 38 Premier League matches.
Arsenal tends to fade towards the end the season.
One thing is certain: this Arsenal team has found themselves in the Premier League title race, regardless of whether or not they like it.
If they maintain their outstanding form going into the New Year after World Cup, history shows that they will fight for top honours.
