Real reason why Arsenal are above Chelsea in Premier League table despite identical records | OneFootball

No, it’s not because of the alphabet

There have been significant changes at the top of the Premier League table following this weekend’s action.

Liverpool now lead the way by nine points following yet another statement win under Arne Slot, this time at home to Manchester City as goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah sealed a deserved 2-0 win.

A fourth Premier League defeat in succession for Pep Guardiola’s side means they have slipped out of the top four altogether by virtue of an inferior goal difference to Brighton.

The Gunners beat West Ham United 5-2, whilst the Blues overcame Aston Villa 3-0 at Stamford Bridge with Cole Palmer scoring the pick of the goals.

Those results left the pair with identical records. Both have now won seven games, drawn four, lost two, scored 26 goals and conceded 12 in the Premier League this season.

No, the reason is due to a Premier League ruling with regard to separating teams level on points, as the first method to split them should be goal difference, followed by goals scored, followed by which team collected the most points during matches between the two sides.

If those first three methods cannot separate them then the team that scored more away goals during their head-to-head matches is the fourth criteria.

Chelsea have not yet played away at Arsenal this season and have therefore not scored any away goals against the Gunners. But Mikel Arteta's side did score at Stamford Bridge through Gabriel Martinelli in the 1-1 draw last month so that is why they sit above the Blues in the table.

It's unlikely but should Arsenal and Chelsea match each other's results for the remainder of the season, and draw 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium, and there is a league title, relegation, or qualification for another competition at stake, there would have to be a play-off match at a neutral ground to determine who came out on top, as the Premier League handbook states via rule C.17.2.