Arsenal’s start to the 2023/24 season has divided opinion. On the face of it, a total of 10 points out of a possible 12 is an extremely creditable return, especially given that last season’s perfect start is the only time that total has been bettered in the last 13 seasons. Another late show against Manchester United gained back two points that had been lost in bitterly disappointing circumstances against ten man Fulham. Remaining within touching distance of Manchester City is crucial if the club is to realise its title ambitions this term. But as comes with the territory of being a fan of any club, negatives can always be inferred. Whether it be Jurrien Timber’s serious injury, Kai Havertz’s frustrating start or Mikel Arteta’s tactical tinkering, a slight restlessness among some fans has crept in recently. Such was the serene and overwhelmingly positive reaction to a breakthrough 2022/23 campaign, any dissenting voices become magnified at this moment.

Arsenal’s Points After Four Games Since 2011

But regardless of wider opinion, the presence of Manchester City makes Arsenal’s start to the 2023/24 season difficult to assess. Performances have been reasonable as the Understat xG table will attest to. Arsenal predictably rank second in that metric, behind the Community Shield runners-up, while xG and xGC values are very closely aligned with goals scored and conceded at this early stage. Results have been fine too – one set of dropped points in a four game period is perfectly acceptable but equally not outstanding either given a fairly favourable set of fixtures. Those first four matches of course included three at home and the absence of any midweek matches. That is about to change as two games a week becomes the norm again.

The current top two visit The Emirates between now and the October international break, while ordinarily favourable away trips to Everton and Bournemouth are made that little bit trickier as they both precede Champions League fixtures by just three days. A testing period awaits. It is therefore difficult to get too excited by the club’s start to the season as the upcoming run of fixtures will test the squad’s ability, depth and resolve. Heading into that huge home clash against Manchester City on Sunday 8th October in winning form is pivotal. After all, Pep Guardiola’s treble winners’ pursuit of perfection makes every dropped point feel like a costly mistake. Not many of those can be afforded if Arsenal are to break this 20 year Premier League trophy drought.

This issue of comparing every outcome to Manchester City will be all too familiar for Liverpool fans. Having gone head-to-head with City for several years before a dip in their standards last season, Jurgen Klopp’s men look back to something near themselves. Matching Arsenal’s total of 10 points despite a trickier early schedule, Liverpool have forced their way into the early title conversation. Ideally, their presence will take some of the attention and pressure away from Arsenal and prevent obsessing over a straight shoot-out with City for 38 weeks. Having to match City’s every move post-Christmas was emotionally draining as a fan and it perhaps took its toll on the players too in the club’s title challenge collapse. Defensive injuries and some tough fixtures also played their part, but that can happen to any team.

But wherever these ramblings are directed, ultimately nothing is decided at this stage, nor will be decided until the spring. Arsenal are in the mix and have performed capably enough in the first four matches. The effect of Champions League participation remains to be seen, but with tougher fixtures to come and a greater volume of games too, Arteta will be desperate to get the team clicking again like the brilliant team we became from August to March last season.