Get ready for a wild ride as we dive into the world of Premier League football and uncover the shocking truth behind Arsenal's rise to title favorites!
The Gunners' Journey to the Top
Arsenal's title aspirations are not just a pipe dream; they're a reality reflected in the official league table (https://www.football365.com/premier-league/table). But there's more to this story than meets the eye. An intriguing analysis of another table, led by the surprising Bournemouth and Spurs, reveals a significant shift in the Premier League landscape.
As the second international break approaches, Arsenal finds itself comfortably ahead of Liverpool, having turned a five-point deficit into a one-point lead in just two weeks. This swing in fortunes has positioned them as the favorites to lift the trophy, despite 31 games still remaining.
But here's where it gets controversial...
An in-depth evaluation of Arsenal's and Liverpool's results this season, compared to the corresponding fixtures from last season, reveals a stark difference. This analysis not only highlights Arsenal's improvement but also serves as a cause for concern for two mid-table clubs.
Let's take a closer look at the alternative table, comparing Premier League results from the 2025/26 season to the same fixtures in the 2024/25 campaign, with Leeds, Burnley, and Sunderland taking the places of Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton, respectively.
The Alternative Table: A Tale of Two Seasons
- Bournemouth: +9
- 2024/25: P7 W1 D2 L4 F5 A10 Pts 5
- 2025/26: P7 W4 D2 L1 F11 A8 Pts 14
Bournemouth's annual defeat at Anfield on the opening day seems to have freed them to improve on almost every other result. They've corrected some surprising losses from last season, like the defeat to Leicester and the failure to win at Spurs.
- Spurs: +7
- 2024/25: P7 W1 D4 L2 F9 A15 Pts 7
- 2025/26: P7 W4 D2 L1 F13 A5 Pts 14
Thomas Frank has done an impressive job, turning defeats into draws and draws into wins. He's also maintained the uncanny ability to win at the Etihad. It certainly helps that his predecessor lost to Ipswich and drew with Leicester.
- Manchester City: +6
- 2024/25: P7 W2 D1 L4 F11 A17 Pts 7
- 2025/26: P7 W4 D1 L2 F15 A6 Pts 13
Manchester City's defensive struggles of last season are a distant memory. While Gianluigi Donnarumma deserves credit, the defensive upgrade is a team effort.
- Everton: +5
- 2024/25: P7 W1 D3 L3 F5 A9 Pts 6
- 2025/26: P7 W3 D2 L2 F9 A7 Pts 11
Everton's fixture list for the seven games leading up to the October break looked daunting, but they've managed to turn things around. David Moyes' improvements across the board have paid off, with a repeat of the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
- Arsenal: +5
- 2024/25: P7 W3 D2 L2 F15 A8 Pts 11
- 2025/26: P7 W5 D1 L1 F14 A3 Pts 16
Arsenal's evolution is evident in their results. The 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City, downgraded to a draw, adds shine to their goals column. But the true indicator is their wins over Newcastle and West Ham, fixtures they lost last campaign.
- Liverpool: +1
- 2024/25: P7 W4 D2 L1 F13 A8 Pts 14
- 2025/26: P7 W5 D L2 F12 A8 Pts 15
Liverpool's five consecutive wins address some mistakes from last season. However, losing at Selhurst Park after a 1-0 victory there last October is a cause for concern.
- Crystal Palace: No Change
- 2024/25: P7 W3 D3 L1 F9 A8 Pts 12
- 2025/26: P7 W3 D3 L1 F9 A5 Pts 12
Oliver Glasner's impact is yet to be seen.
- Chelsea: -1
- 2024/25: P7 W3 D3 L1 F13 A7 Pts 12
- 2025/26: P7 W3 D2 L2 F12 A7 Pts 11
Chelsea's defeat to Fulham at Stamford Bridge was avenged, but losses to Brighton and Manchester United in 2024/25 remain a concern.
- Fulham: -1
- 2024/25: P7 W3 D0 L4 F7 A8 Pts 9
- 2025/26: P7 W2 D2 L3 F8 A11 Pts 8
Marco Silva's Fulham is a team that wins as much as it loses, a unique challenge in Barclays history.
- West Ham: -4
- 2024/25: P7 W2 D2 L3 F4 A10 Pts 8
- 2025/26: P7 W1 D1 L5 F6 A6 Pts 4
West Ham's recent meetings with Everton have been less draw-heavy, a trend David Moyes hopes to continue.
- Manchester United: -4
- 2024/25: P7 W4 D2 L1 F14 A10 Pts 14
- 2025/26: P7 W3 D1 L3 F9 A11 Pts 10
Erik ten Hag's legacy is at stake.
- Brentford: -4
- 2024/25: P7 W3 D2 L2 F14 A8 Pts 11
- 2025/26: P7 W2 D1 L4 F9 A12 Pts 7
Brentford's summer losses and the change in difficulty between Southampton and Sunderland have impacted their results.
- Newcastle: -5
- 2024/25: P7 W4 D2 L1 F16 A11 Pts 14
- 2025/26: P7 W2 D3 L2 F6 A5 Pts 9
Newcastle's defensive improvements have come at the cost of their attacking prowess.
- Nottingham Forest: -5
- 2024/25: P7 W3 D1 L3 F14 A14 Pts 10
- 2025/26: P7 W1 D2 L4 F5 A12 Pts 5
Nottingham Forest's struggles continue, with Evangelos facing a challenging season.
- Wolves: -6
- 2024/25: P7 W2 D2 L3 F8 A10 Pts 8
- 2025/26: P7 W0 D2 L5 F5 A14 Pts 2
Wolves' strategy of selling key players and replacing them with unknowns is not paying off.
- Aston Villa: -8
- 2024/25: P7 W5 D2 L F13 A4 Pts 17
- 2025/26: P7 W2 D3 L2 F6 A7 Pts 9
Villa's results are impacted by the change in difficulty between Southampton and Sunderland. Their draw with Ipswich last season and win over Burnley are small consolations.
- Brighton: -9
- 2024/25: P7 W6 D0 L1 F16 A9 Pts 18
- 2025/26: P7 W2 D3 L2 F10 A10 Pts 9
Brighton's step back under Hurzeler is significant. While beating Manchester City at home is impressive, the German might appreciate the spotlight being on other managers in the sack race.
And this is the part most people miss...
The alternative table reveals a league in flux, with teams like Bournemouth and Spurs making significant strides. Arsenal's rise to the top is just one piece of this intriguing puzzle.
So, what do you think? Is Arsenal's title challenge a genuine threat, or just a flash in the pan? Let's discuss in the comments and share your thoughts on this exciting Premier League season!
