The Gunners have opened up a four-point gap at the top of the table, with an unlikely title challenge now a real possibility
Ten games, nine wins, 27 points. Arsenal have enjoyed their best-ever start to a Premier League season.
Never before have the Gunners amassed this many points at this stage of a campaign. Even Arsene Wenger’s great sides couldn’t manage it.
Mikel Arteta’s team are now four points clear at the top of the table following Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road, coupled with Manchester City's loss at Liverpool later the same day.
So how have Arsenal done it? What are the reasons behind their record-breaking start? GOAL takes a look…
Getty ImagesJesus' arrival
It’s impossible to downplay the impact Gabriel Jesus has had on Arsenal. His arrival from Manchester City in the summer has completely transformed the way Mikel Arteta’s side attack.
It was clear last season that a new focal point was needed to spearhead the forward line. With Alexandre Lacazette in the centre, Arsenal lacked any sort of mobility or penalty-box threat. That left the Gunners almost totally reliant on Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe to get their goals.
But that has changed completely with Jesus in the side. The Brazilian has scored five goals in 10 Premier league games, more than Lacazette managed in the whole of last season, while he also has three assists.
But Jesus’ impact has not just been about goal contributions. His work rate and pressing ability sets the tone from the front. He is a constant handful for defences with his movement.
He has also brought a winning mentality to a young squad and has taken on a key leadership role along with captain Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka.
AdvertisementGettyThe vibrancy of youth
Arsenal have the second-youngest side in the Premier League this season, behind Southampton, and it is that youth has been a key driving force behind the Gunners’ success in the opening 10 games.
Bukayo Saka’s match winner at Leeds on Sunday was the 24th league goal Arsenal have scored this season, with nine of those having been scored by players aged 21 or under.
It was also Arsenal’s 55th goal scored by a player 21 or under during Mikel Arteta’s time in charge; that’s 23 more than any other side during his tenure.
Having such a young team may have its drawbacks when you get to the business end of the season, as was evident towards the end of the 2021-22 campaign when Arsenal couldn’t manage to get themselves over the line in the race for the top four.
But for now, that youthful energy is playing a huge part in the Gunners’ superb start to the new season.
Getty ImagesArteta's leadership
The manager deserves a lot of credit for Arsenal’s start. He’s made a number of big calls and so far they are paying off.
The decision to name Martin Odegaard captain has worked well, as has unwavering backing of Granit Xhaka – who is now looking like a totally new player under the Spaniard.
Defensively, Arteta had to work out how to fit certain players into his system. He opted to pair William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back and shift Ben White out to right-back instead of the reliable Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Many questioned whether White could perform that role, but so far he has been one of the stars of Arsenal’s season.
Arteta’s decision to start Tomiyasu at left-back in the win against Liverpool was another inspired piece of thinking. It was a call that looked questionable, with Kieran Tierney sitting on the bench, but the right footed Tomiyasu marked Mohamed Salah out of the game, so much so that the Egyptian star was hauled off with 20 minutes remaining.
Like his team, Arteta is still relatively young and inexperienced. He’s learning on the job, but so far this season, the majority of the decisions have proved to be correct ones.
A perfect pre-season
This was a massive thing for Arsenal. Arteta was able to have a proper pre-season with his squad for the first time since he was appointed and he took full advantage.
New signings Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko were bedded in early, as was William Saliba – who was finally integrated into the squad after three loan spells away for the club.
The pre-season tour to the United States was a major success, with Arsenal winning both games – including beating Chelsea 4-0 in Orlando.
Jesus was an instant hit and the team spirit was clearly strong, something that was highlighted by everyone who went away on the tour.
Arsenal ended pre-season by beating Sevilla 6-0 to win the Emirates Cup. That meant they had won every single one of their summer friendlies.
Arteta’s side looked ready to hit the ground running in the Premier League, which they duly did.