Before Man City took to the pitch on Sunday, they were already confirmed as Premier League champions.
A record-breaking third successive title was secured when Arsenal lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest a day earlier. The Gunners had been setting the pace for vast majority of the season and even led by eight points not so long ago. But thanks to City’s now 12-match winning run, the title race took an ominous turn.
While Arsenal led for most of the season and played some scintillating football, there is no denying it is Man City who are more deserving of the two. Here are some stats to back that up
Man City have fewer losses than Arsenal
It’s very rare that the champions have not lost the fewest games in the league. In this season’s title race, City indeed have lost the fewest games in the league, just four all season. As a matter of fact, Arsenal’s six losses is even worse than third-placed Newcastle’s five. Common sense dictates for the team with fewest losses to be champions, and that has been the case this season.
Man City have a better defensive record than Arsenal
“Attack wins you matches, defense wins you titles”
Sir Alex Ferguson
The above quote has held true for basically every Premier League title race. While Man City have outscored Arsenal, more crucially, they have a significantly better defensive record. City have the league’s best defensive record – just 31 conceded in 36 games. Meanwhile Arsenal have let in 43 in their 37. In majority of Premier League title races, the team with best defensive record has been crowned champions. It has happened this season also.
Man City won both meetings against Arsenal
A team is deemed to be worthy champions if they come out on top in games against closest rivals. For Man City, they ticked this criteria handily. City comprehensively beat Arsenal in the pair’s meetings this season. Pep Guardiola was on a 10-match winning streak against Arsenal in the Premier League heading into this season, and Mikel Arteta simply had to turn it around. However, he failed and quite frankly, if you lose both games to the champions, you aren’t worthy to be champions.
The above statistics are enough to justify Man City’s title credentials. They also have the league’s record-breaking Golden boot winner. Man City equaled their neighbor’s record of three-successive PL titles. However, no one has ever won four in a row. With the team Guardiola has, who’s to say City won’t win next season, and maybe more?