Arsenal on course for never-before-seen Premier League record only they can set… but it may still not win them title

4 months ago 35

JAMIE CARRAGHER claims Arsenal on course for a never-before-seen Premier League record only they can set.

But it may still not win them the title.

a man wearing a watch is clapping his hands

Arsenal are being backed to have a record-breaking season under Mikel Arteta[/caption]

a man in a black coat adjusts his ear buds

Jamie Carragher claims the Gunners can become the first team to rack up five[/caption]

Mikel Arteta’s men have finished runners-up for the past two seasons.

And as they close in on a deal for Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino, the Gunners believe this could be the year they break Man City’s stranglehold on England’s top flight.

However, Arsenal are also close to becoming the first team in Premier League history to improve their points tally five years in a row.

Speaking on Monday Night football, Carragher told viewers that the record was there to be broken this season by the Gunners.

Arsenal finished with 89 points last season, five better than their total in 2023.

In 2022 they collected 69 points while finishing in fifth place.

And in 2021 Arsenal came eighth with 61 points.

Interestingly, in 2020 Arsenal finished eighth again, but with a lower points total of 56.

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But Carragher claims the record for five seasons in a row is still available should Arsenal better 89 points or finish top.

He said: “Something that’s interesting about Arsenal, no team in Premier League history has improved their position five years in a row.

Arsenal ratings vs Wolves

ARSENAL kicked off their campaign with three points at home to Wolves.

Here’s how SunSport’s Isabelle Barker rated Mikel Arteta’s men.

David Raya – 8

Produced a jaw-dropping save in the opening-half on an awkward Jorgen Strand Larsen header.

Saved Saliba’s skins late on when he nearly produced a monumental cock-up by passing the ball straight to Cunha.

Ben White – 7

White wanted a goal so bad, had two shots in the opening half and was linking the play well.

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6

Put the Gunners under pressure at times to highlight why the club signed Riccardo Calafiori in the summer.

The Ukrainian left-back also looked weak defensively.

With the return of Jurrien Timber, Zinchenko could see himself out of the starting XI.

Gabrel – 7

Was mostly rock solid at the back and was more reliable than Saliba but still made a few questionable tackles.

William Saliba – 6

Was the culprit of a number of poor passes.

Had a disastrous spell which gifted Wolves a chance, forcing Raya into that blinding save in the first-half.

He then passed the ball straight to Matheus Cunha who so very nearly equalised in the second-half.

Martin Odegaard – 7

A joy to watch in the first-half but needed to sharpen up in the second-half. Held onto the ball for too long doing flicks and tricks which put Arsenal under the cosh.

Thomas Partey – 7

Solid display, buzzed about all over the pitch and was neat and tidy with his distribution.

Nearly made it 2-0 in the second-half with a rasping, low shot.

Declan Rice – 6

Had little influence throughout the game and came off injured on 84-minutes.

Bukayo Saka – 9

The opener was all about the cross from Saka.

It was an inch-perfect, in-swinging cross into the box, the keeper couldn’t come for it, the defenders didn’t want to knock it into their own net, and Havertz took full advantage.

He wrapped up a perfect performance by firing a rocket into the top corner to make it 2-0.

Kai Havertz – 8

His opener had been brewing for a while when he produced a crisp finish on 25 minutes. He has now scored 10 goals in his last 15 Premier League games. Scuppered a golden chance early in the second-half though.

Gabriel Martinelli – 7

Solid performance but was wasteful and selfish when he could have laid the ball back to Declan Rice when he was wide open.

Subs:

Jurrien Timber – 7

Gabriel Jesus – 7

Leandro Trossard – 7

“Arsenal have done it four years in a row, and to go beyond where they did last year is going to be tough.”

Fellow pundit Gary Neville also believes Arsenal can have a big season.

He added: “Arsenal had an incredible season so I was not a million miles away.

“They are getting nearer and I feel they will do it. Pep Guardiola wins all the time but I feel Arsenal are so consistent that this could be the year.

“Arsenal are getting to such a high level now of consistency, defensive solidity, the balance of the team, they look like they have got a great spirit.”