A season for the ages

The title chase is far from over, but no matter what, this season has been incredible

At some point in mid to late May, we’ll know whether Arsenal have broken their 19-year run without a Premier League title. If they should reach the finish line without lifting the cup, it’s going to feel like an absolute gut punch.

But as we sit here, nine games remaining, a moment to appreciate the sheer ridiculousness of this 29-game run, if you’ll patronize me.

Today, the fourth of April, Arsenal sit:

• 22 points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur

• 22 points ahead of Manchester United

• 30 points ahead of Liverpool

• 34 points ahead of Chelsea.

We all know how long it’s been since we’ve had a St. Totteringham’s Day. But this will also be Arsenal’s first finish ahead of the Reds or Blues since 2016. That we’ve become so accustomed to those clubs finishing ahead of our Gunners is incredible.

Speaking of incredible: Arsenal’s win over Leeds locked up the club’s highest point total in six years, and with 23.6% of the season yet to play.

Arsenal could still technically be caught by seven other Premier League clubs, but the overwhelming odds do still place the club in the top two and returning to the Champions League, its first in six years.

Adam Rae Voge @adamvoge

Updated MAGIC NUMBERS! 👑23 points to the title 3⃣ Wins (as of today) guarantees CL 7⃣ Opponents left who could catch Arsenal, technically ❌ Winning at Anfield would clinch a finish ahead of Liverpool

More facts to contextualize what’s been an amazing campaign by Mikel Arteta’s tricky reds:

• Winning six of the remaining nine games (a 2.0-point pace) would match the club’s record point total of 90, set by The Invincibles in 2004.

• If Arsenal match their pace (2.48 ppg) for the season to date, they’d end on 94 points.

• Even a massively flat run-in, resulting in just three more wins, would give the club its first 80-point campaign since 2008.

• Arsenal’s +43 goal difference is currently the club’s third-highest in the Premier League era, behind the 03-04 and 04-05 sides.

• Even averaging just one goal per game from here out would give Arsenal its highest goal total since 2010.

• If the Gunners keep scoring at their current rate (2.4 goals per game), they’d finish with 91 goals for, the most by an Arsenal team since 1952-1953.

• Arsenal would have to allow more than a goal per game to reach the 39 goals they conceded in 2020-2021, currently the club’s best in the post-Wenger era.

• If Arsenal can match its current goals allowed pace (0.93 per game) it would end up on 35 conceded, Arsenal’s lowest since 2008.

• Matching the current goals for and against pace would result in a +56 goal difference, which would be a new club record in the Premier League era and Arsenal’s best since the 1990-1991 season (also +56).

Pretty amazing, isn’t it? There were certainly some dark times in the Arteta era, but even in the brightest parts of last season I didn’t see this coming.

Obviously, with Arsenal still somewhere between a 52-60% favorite to win the league, failing to do so wouldn’t be the generational bottling some would have you believe. But to be two full months from season’s end and have top four all but locked up, while also being eight points clear of second, is unbelievable.

Looking forward, a massive match at Anfield looms. We could see another Rob Holding start, and to his credit he’s been serviceable to date.

Arsenal’s last league win at Anfield came in 2012, a game Mikel Arteta started for Arsene Wenger. Vito Mannone was in goal.

But Liverpool haven’t quite been their best this season, with a press that doesn’t stand up to its predecessors, and players like Jordan Henderson, Virgil Van Dijk and Fabinho looking like shells of their former selves.

A win for Arsenal (or a draw, pending tonight’s Liverpool-Chelsea result) would lock up a finish ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s men, but it would also go a long way toward the league title.

Because while it’s been an unforgettable ride, that’s what we’re here for, isn’t it?

23 points to go.