%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Where Arsenal Stand After 5 Weeks of EPL
Arsenal, fresh off a 2-0 win against Stoke at the Emirates on Saturday, is currently sitting in 4th place in the Premier League. After a rocky start to their EPL campaign, the Gunners remain behind Manchester City, Leicester City, and Manchester United in the table.
However, they are still “looking down” at notable top four contenders Liverpool, Tottenham, and even Chelsea. Arsenal will look to make a statement against the struggling Blues at Stamford Bridge this Saturday in what could turn out to be a match with significant long-term table implications. But for now, where do Arsenal stand amongst the other top EPL sides?
First, let’s address 9th placed Liverpool and 12th placed Tottenham. Though both aspiring clubs have proven themselves capable of beating other “big” teams, these two still seem off the pace this season.
More from Pain in the Arsenal
- 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
Tottenham have struggled in every EPL match thus far, whether when playing Man U or Leicester. To make matters worse, key man Harry Kane isn’t scoring. The Spurs picked up their first win of the season against Sunderland.
Liverpool seem off the plot, too. Brendan Rodger’s men haven’t won since August 17 against Bournemouth and are coming off a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Manchester United. It seems as if these two must turn their seasons around as soon as possible if they are to make a genuine challenge for the top four.
Next are the powerhouses of Manchester. Third placed United have managed three points from several imposing opponents, notably against the aforementioned Tottenham and Liverpool. Though the Red Devils have unarguably had moments of struggle thus far, they seem to be on the way up. Not only are they sitting above Arsenal in 3rd place, they are also coming off a captivating win against Liverpool during which their newest addition, 19 year old Anthony Martial, scored quite an impressive debut goal.
City, on the other hand, seem to have found their own winning formula already. The Citizens are on top of the table, and more importantly, are undefeated. Their most notable win thus far came against Chelsea, in what became a 3-0 demolition of the Blues. They are coming off a huge transfer window in which they spent £98.7 million (talksport.com).
Second to last is Chelsea, who Arsenal faces next. The Blues, to say the very least, have not found any sort of rhythm. They’ve won once – against West Ham – and Spanish signee Pedro hasn’t been able to lift the title-winning squad of last season to expected heights. Mourinho has found himself and his club in a bit of a mess, but expect the seemingly “stacked” Blues to bounce back sometime in the coming weeks.
Now comes Arsenal. Wenger’s men haven’t found their rhythm yet either, and the best starting XI is still unsolved. Moreover, there’s controversy in some key positions.
To begin with, Aaron Ramsey has been the starting right mid for most of this season. The Welshman has been inconsistent so far and is clearly being played out of position, though. However, Ramsey did manage a 7.8 rating in Saturday’s match versus Stoke, but the center mid is not a winger.
More from Arsenal News
- 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
The problem is, neither the Ox nor Walcott has earned a consistent spot on the right. Moreover, no one has locked down the place up top for the Gunners. Giroud and Walcott have both looked very shaky at times, and Arsenal average 22 shots per game- most in the EPL- but have scored themselves only 3 times (per whoscored.com). Thus, the chances are there, but they aren’t being converted.
In defense, the Gunners have been more stable. The back four has been solid for the Gunners, and that might be the only reason Arsenal is still in the top four. So, where does Arsenal stand?
In what has been a mildly disappointing start to the campaign, the Gunners are deservedly looking down at plenty of top contenders lower in the league table. However, Man United and Man City remain above the North Londoners in red for now. It will stay that way unless Wenger’s men play up to expectations. If Arsenal is to make a genuine title challenge come May 2016, the side must find a way to surpass other shaky clubs, notably Manchester United as of now.
Next: Arsenal's Defense is in Fantastic Shape