Arsenal top, Man Utd 4th: Expected points data shows duo deserve better this season

After spending over £200 million in the transfer market over the summer, Arsenal are back to competing with Liverpool for the Premier League title and have started in fine form.

In fact, according to expected points (xpts) data from Opta Analyst, the Gunners should be leading the pack six games into the season, with Manchester United in fourth place.

Mikel Arteta’s side have picked up four wins from six games (D1, L1).

Their only defeat of the season came at the hands of reigning champions Liverpool, who have Dominic Szoboszlai to thank for a phenomenal free kick that helped them snatch a 1-0 win.

Three games after that, Gabriel Martinelli helped Arsenal salvage a point against Manchester City after Erling Braut Haaland had put Pep Guardiola’s side ahead just nine minutes into the game.

Arsenal returned to winning ways at St. James’ Park, scoring two late goals to secure a 2-1 comeback win against the notorious Newcastle United.

According to Opta’s data, Arsenal should be top of the league with 11.6 xpts from six games.

Much has been made about Manchester United’s underwhelming start to the season after taking just six points from seven games.

A large chunk of United fans are already calling for a change in the dugout.

While Ruben Amorim still has strong backing from the board, they could be forced into action if results don’t improve.

However, United’s underlying numbers suggest they should be doing much better than their current 14th-place ranking. Opta’s data places them in fourth with 10.2 xpts.

Guardiola and Man City also came under intense scrutiny after losing back-to-back games against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion.

But they have since steadied the ship and now rank as joint-leaders on the expected points table along with Arsenal and this season’s surprise package, Crystal Palace (11.6 xpts each).

The most eye-catching placement from Opta’s data is Liverpool, who are ranked eighth with 9.4 xpts.

Until they ran into a brick wall in the form of Palace, the reigning champions were relying on late goals to get by, and that was never a sustainable system.

Here are some other notable placements from Opta’s xpts data;