Could Arsenal be the Premier League’s ‘worst champions’ - Scholes’ jab versus the cold, hard data | OneFootball

Arsenal might be out in front in the Premier League title race and perfect in the Champions League this season, but it hasn't stopped pundits taking aim at Mikel Arteta's team.

Earlier this week, ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes took a swipe at the Gunners. Criticising the club's forwards after a three-game winless run, Scholes saidArsenal 'could be the worst team to win the league' in the Premier League era.

"IfArsenal win the league, this could be the worst team to win the league," he said on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast.

"If you're thinking of picking a team of the season and picking the front four, nobody from theArsenal team gets in that.

"Look at previous champions –Liverpool's forwards, brilliant. Possibly the only one is Saka, and I don't think he's been brilliant. He's not scored many goals this year or assists.”

But is there any truth in Scholes' comments? Can anyPremier League champion really be considered underwhelming? Who, if anyone, is the worst team to have won the league?

We've dug into the data...

Fewest points to win a Premier League title - Manchester United (1996/97)

Time to look away, Paul.

Scholes was part of theManchester United team that holds the record for the fewest points won by a Premier League champion, after claiming the 1996-97 title with just 75 points.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side finished seven points ahead of Newcastle United, despite winning just 21 games - also a record-low for aPremier League title-winning team.

For context,Arsenal are on course for 83 points based on their points-per-game average.

Scholes might argue a lower points total hints at a more competitive league...

Fewest goals scored by a Premier League champions - Manchester United (62, 1992-93)

Manchester United also hold the record for the fewest goals scored by a Premier League title winner.

Their drought-breaking success in 1992-92 saw the Red Devils score just 62 goals in a 42-game season. Mark Hughes (15) was the only player to reach double figures for league goals.

Most defeats by a Premier League champion - Blackburn Rovers (7, 1994-95)

NoPremier League champion lost more games than Blackburn Rovers did in 1994-95. The Lancashire side's first title in 81 years was bankrolled by local businessman Jack Walker, with Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton firing Rovers to the title.

Blackburn lost seven games during the 1994-95 season, including a final-day defeat atLiverpool. Fortunately, Manchester United's failure to beat West Ham ensured Rovers pipped the defending champions to the crown.

Most goals conceded by a Premier League champions - Manchester United (45, 1999-2000)

A season after treble success,Manchester United conceded 45 goals during their 1999-2000 title win.

No team has ever conceded more in aPremier League-winning campaign, but United were relentless at the other end.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side scored 97 goals, setting then records for the most goals scored and biggest winning margin (+18 points) in aPremier League season.

Ferguson famously said it's defences that win titles - but not here.

Smallest title-winning margin - Manchester City (+6 goal difference, 2011-12)

There's unlikely to be a team snatch aPremier League title by the skin of their teeth quite like Manchester City in 2011-12.

The Citizens just needed to beat relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers on the final day, but trailed in stoppage time, as title rivalsManchester United won at Sunderland.

An Edin Dzeko equaliser set the stage for thePremier League's greatest-ever moment (sorry, Manchester United), as Sergio Aguero slammed home to win the game - and title - for Roberto Mancini's side on goal difference.

Lowest top scorer for a Premier League champions - Frank Lampard (Chelsea, 13 goals, 2004-05) and Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City, 13 goals, 2020-21)

Much has been made aboutArsenal's firepower this season and the Gunners could be on course to break this record.

Leading league scorers Leandro Trossard and Viktor Gyokeres have scored just five goals each in thePremier League this season.

The lowest-ever top scorers for title-winning teams managed 13 for the campaign.