Arsenal might look at the season so far with an air of frustration, considering the plight of their title rivals of the past two seasons, Manchester City. Had anyone of a Gunners persuasion been offered the chance to be five points above Pep Guardiola’s side having played a game less come the end of the year, many might have grabbed it with both hands.

That is exactly where the Gunners are, however, they remain, rather wildly, nine points behind league leaders Liverpool who have had a startlingly good season so far dropping points in just four games. It has painted quite a negative view overall especially considering both Liverpool and Chelsea, the other main competitor for the league, both have new managers this season.

Yet when you dig somewhat deeper, a broader picture emerges. Arsenal endured a difficult December in 2023, which saw them end the year having played 20 games and collected 40 points.

READ MORE: Arsenal 2025 squad prediction as Mikel Arteta chases Alexander Isak and Baleba dream transfers

READ MORE: Arsenal transfer state of play - Omar Marmoush race, Matheus Cunha stand-off, Kolo Muani loan

Fast-forward a year and Arsenal can improve on that very tally. With away games at Brighton and Brentford to come, should they win both, they will be on 42 points, two better off than they were at the same stage last season.

The mood has been so low, of course because Liverpool have such a lead, but it has, to a degree, been somewhat overblown when considering all factors. Injuries, decisions and the points tally potential being as it is, it does make you think.

From a club point of view, they cannot afford to regress if they want to achieve their goal of winning the top trophies. Mikel Arteta has focused on trying to improve the marginal gains of the side that saw them miss out on the title by just two points in the previous campaign.

It has certainly had an effect as in 2024, Arsenal have not conceded more than two goals in any game they have played. When you consider how unpredictable the sport can be, this is an amazing statistic.

Despite these improvements, only one number matters in the end, the league position. There remains plenty of games to play and the first half of the season has seen the Gunners play the majority of the top sides in the league away from home.

With a kinder run-in, how both Arsenal and Liverpool compare while navigating three other competitions which could see them meet in a League Cup final, will be very intriguing. Arteta focusing on control, while Arne Slot closes in on gradual improvements.