Arsenal beat Man Utd on Sunday to reach 50 points after just 19 games – a feat not even managed by Arsene Wenger's 2003-04 title winners.
Arsenal made history with their thrilling 3-2 win against Manchester United on Sunday.
The victory, their 16th in the league this season, took the Gunners to 50 points at the halfway stage of the Premier League campaign – a feat no Arsenal side has ever previously achieved.
Even the Invincibles of 2003-04 couldn’t manage it, with Arsene Wenger’s iconic team amassing 45 points from their opening 19 games.
That’s the level Arsenal are setting at the moment under Mikel Arteta.
“Extraordinary,” said the Gunners boss when asked to sum up the first half of the season following Eddie Nketiah's late winner against United.
“It doesn’t get much better than that.”
So, how have Arsenal managed it? How have they ripped up the record books to set the pace in such impressive fashion?
Below, GOAL, takes a look at some of the key matches that have been the inspiration behind the north London club’s monumental start to the 2022-23 season…
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can arsenal let themselves dream of the premier league title now? 🏆 #football #arsenal #premierleague #afc #soccer #fyp
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Crystal Palace (a)
The opening night of the Premier League season.
All eyes were on Arsenal, who had opened the previous campaign with a morale-sapping defeat at Brentford 12 months earlier.
Would history repeat itself in another tough looking London derby away from home? Not a chance.
Arsenal sent out a real message with the way they played at Selhurst Park, particularly in the first half when they produced some exceptional attacking football with the type of high tempo play that has since gone on to become the norm.
It was an impressive win which showcased plenty of what was to come.
From Gabriel Martinelli’s bright showing, to the excellent league debuts of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and William Saliba. This was an early sign that Arsenal meant business.
AdvertisementFulham (h)
This was Arsenal’s fourth league game of the season and they went into it on the back of three successive wins.
What was significant about it was it was the first game that saw them fall behind this season, with Alexander Mitrovic seizing on a Gabriel Magalhaes mistake to put Fulham in front nine minutes into the second half.
Arsenal had a terrible record of coming from behind under Arteta the previous season, so this was a real test of their belief and team spirit.
And it was one they passed in typically impressive style, with Martin Odegaard equalising and Gabriel making up for his earlier mistake by scoring the winner.
The response of the Emirates crowd to going behind was also crucial and a sign of what was to come.
The support was unwavering and that unity with the fans has undoubtedly been a big diving force behind Arsenal’s charge so far this season, as many of the players have pointed out.
GettyBrentford (a)
The big thing about this game was it came immediately after Arsenal had been beaten for the first time in the league at Manchester United.
Many wondered whether the defeat at Old Trafford, which ended a run of five straight wins, would take the wind out of the sails and lead to a poor run.
And the fact Arsenal had to travel to Brentford, the scene of their humbling opening day defeat of the 2021-22 campaign, made it seem even more dangerous.
So for Arteta’s side to come through it the way they didn’t, cruising to a 3-0 win, felt hugely significant.
GettyTottenham (h)
The first north London derby of the season is always a big occasion, but given the way things had panned out for Arsenal just a few months earlier when they missed out on the Champions League to their bitter rivals, this one felt even more important.
It was the first game of the season against one of the big six as well, so there were plenty wondering how Arteta’s side would cope with the challenge.
Could they send out a statement to their neighbours, or would they still be showing the knock-on effects of the way the previous season had ended?
The answer was defiant, with Arsenal dominating Spurs and cruising to a 3-1 victory.