Runner-up progress equals champion? After 16 rounds of the Premier League, Arsenal has accumulated 36 points, 6 more than the same period last season.

Football is a game of contradictions, where constant progress is essential for achieving better outcomes. So the question arises: can three consecutive runner-up finishes translate into a championship?

After 16 rounds in the Premier League, Arsenal has 11 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, totaling 36 points, placing them first. They lead second-place Manchester City by 2 points and third-place Aston Villa by 3 points. The lead is slim, making this season’s title race extremely competitive.

According to statistics, Arsenal, who have finished as runners-up three times consecutively, have earned 6 more league points after 16 rounds this season compared to the same stage last season.

• Arsenal dropped points in 5 league matches this season: losses against Liverpool and Aston Villa, and draws with Manchester City, Sunderland, and Chelsea.
• Last season at this stage, Arsenal had dropped points in 8 matches: losses to Newcastle and West Ham, and draws with Manchester United, Liverpool, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Brentford.

Arsenal is currently facing injury problems, especially the serious injury to key center-back Gabriel, which has caused significant setbacks for both their offense and defense. Gabriel was a crucial part of Arsenal’s corner kick strategy. Additionally, Joao Felix, a star from the Portuguese league, seems to be struggling to find his scoring form in the Premier League. Manchester City, with their rich title-winning experience, are just 2 points behind. This rivalry between the two managers will likely define the Premier League title race this season. Finally, the big question: who do you support?