Arsenal’s shaky start to the Premier League season has seen them fall nine points behind leaders Liverpool in the race for the title – and the history books suggest they could already be out of the running.
That is because they would need to overcome the biggest points gap in Premier League history to lift the title. No team has ever come from more than eight points behind to win the title after 11 games played.
With Man City faltering at the weekend against Brighton – their fourth straight defeat in all competitions – the Gunners had the ideal opportunity to get themselves back in the mix with the Reds and Pep Guardiola’s side.
But a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday saw them lose more ground on Liverpool and will now have to do what no other team has done in Premier League history if they are to be crowned as champions for the first time in two decades.
Three teams have managed to win the Premier League after being eight points adrift at this stage of the season, with Blackburn Rovers doing so in 1994-95, Manchester United twice in 2002/03 and 2008/09, while Man City also managed it on two occasions in 2013/14 and 2020/21.
To illustrate how much of a challenge the Gunners face, SportsCasting has compared the biggest points gaps closed by the eventual title winners at this stage of the season.
Biggest Points Gap Closed By Eventual Premier League Champions After 11 Games
| Team | Season | Points Gap |
| Blackburn Rovers | 1994/95 | 8 |
| Manchester United | 2002/03 | 8 |
| Manchester United | 2008/09 | 8 |
| Manchester City | 2013/14 | 6 |
| Manchester City | 2020/21 | 6 |
Manchester City Have Been Here Before
For City fans, the stats show it is far from time to panic. Yes, the champions have lost an unprecedented four straight games in all competitions, but they are not in crisis just yet.
City suffered a shock 2-1 defeat by Brighton over the weekend despite taking an early lead through Erling Haaland before going on to suffer a late collapse. The defeat means they are now five points adrift of leaders Liverpool after 11 games.
It is a common theme of Guardiola’s City side that they often start the season slowly, before finding another gear after Christmas and going on to win the league at a canter.
City have twice come from six points behind after 11 games to win the title. They did it in 2013/14 under Manuel Pellegrini, and again in 2020/21 under Guardiola.
While the form of Liverpool so far suggests City might not run away with the title race, five points is by no means insurmountable.
As shown by City themselves twice winning the league from further back, there is still plenty of football to play.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s United Often Did It The Hard Way
Manchester United’s frequently dismal performances since Ferguson’s retirement are in complete contrast to their dominance under the legendary Scottish manager.
But while the Red Devils were incredibly successful, they didn’t simply walk the league every season.
In both the 2002/03 and 2008/09 campaigns, United uncharacteristically found themselves eight points adrift of the leaders after their first 11 games.
But in both seasons, they roared back in the second half of the season to overturn the biggest points gap in Premier League history and claim memorable titles – a far cry from their current league position.
Blackburn’s Incredible Title Win Equalled Biggest Points Gap In Premier League History
Hailed as one of the most remarkable seasons in English football history, Blackburn Rovers’ shock title win in 1994/95 will be forever remembered.
Like Leicester City’s stunning win in 2016, Blackburn were complete outsiders going into the campaign.
But while the Foxes were in the mix at the top of the table from the outset, Blackburn were eight points adrift of leaders Newcastle after 11 games.
Rovers did not take top spot until match-day 16, with Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton’s goalscoring heroics helping pip Manchester United to their only Premier League title by just one point.
Can Arsenal Make History?
History may not be on Arsenal’s side but that’s not to say that Mikel Arteta’s men can’t turn things around with an unprecedented comeback.
Liverpool so far this season have won 28 points from a possible 33 and are on course to collect 97 points if they keep up this current form under new boss Slot.
To put things in perspective, Arsenal would need to win every single remaining game to end the season on 100 points.
While we’re still only in November, Arsenal really have it all to do and another defeat would realistically turn the title hunt into a two-horse race.
