Arsenal scandalous, Man Utd gloomy…

After a 1-0 win away to Manchester United, Arsenal completed a full season unbeaten against fellow ‘big six’ this season with the best record in the mini league ahead.

There is debate over whether the concept of the ‘big six’ is relevant in the Premier League in 2024 following Newcastle United’s takeover, while Aston Villa are on course to finish in the top four at the expense of some of the traditional powers in this season. .

However, the fact remains that the same six clubs – Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea – tend to be the only clubs to finish in the top four, while accounting for six of the top seven wages. bills and comfortably the most expensive teams assembled in terms of transfer fees.

And it’s often the highly popular meetings between these top clubs that can make or break their seasons. We are now approaching the finish line and all but one of this season’s ‘big six’ games – Tottenham v Manchester City on Tuesday – have now been played.

Last season, Man City had the best record in the “big six” clashes. They did the double over runners-up Arsenal, which proved crucial in ending the season five points clear at the top of the table.

But while City are in pole position to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title, their record against fellow Big Six players this year is mixed, with just two wins – both against city rivals Manchester United – of the nine exits. Elsewhere, they drew with Liverpool and Chelsea (home and away) as well as Tottenham at home.

Arsenal’s title charge faltered with defeats to Fulham, West Ham and Aston Villa (home and away), but they have tended to rise to the occasion and have completed a sensational ‘big six’ unbeaten record in 2023 -24, with wins. overall.

Mikel Arteta’s men have now done the double against Manchester United, winning 1-0 away – their first in front of Old Trafford fans since 2006.

The Gunners’ 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea last month is their best result against their London rivals. A few days later, they followed it up with an away win in the north London derby, racing into a three-goal lead before withstanding a late Spurs comeback to win 3-2.

Mauricio Pochettino took time to change Chelsea’s form. The Blues are finally in the European places, while some of their performances in the big games have been encouraging – notably their crazy wins over Tottenham and Manchester United, energetic displays in draws against Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City. (twice).

No other team in the league has taken points from all three title contenders. There are question marks over how much they have improved though, with Chelsea hammered 4-1 away at Liverpool and now 5-0 at Arsenal in the second half of the season.

Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham have also been impressive in the big games this season, taking more points from six opposition than they collected all of last season. Spurs took four points from Manchester United. They also inflicted Liverpool’s first Premier League defeat of the season and drew with Arsenal and Man City earlier in the campaign.

Liverpool have also been poor in the big games this season, with their only two wins against ‘big six’ opposition coming against out-of-form sides Chelsea and Tottenham. Half of their four league defeats this season have come in north London – away to Tottenham and Arsenal.

Manchester United have endured misfortune throughout the season. They produced a confident and solid display to beat Chelsea earlier in the season but lost 4-3 at Stamford Bridge in farcical fashion and were otherwise unconvincing as they went winless against Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City and Arsenal. (all home and away).

Here’s how the big six table stacks up in 2023-24 so far. I have ordered them in terms of points per game, with goal difference being used if they are tied.

1. Arsenal

Played: 10
Won: 6
Extract: 4
Lost: 0

Goals for: 21
Goals against: 9
Goal difference: +12

Points: 22

Points per game: 2.2

TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every player to appear for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta?

2. Chelsea

Played: 10
Won: 3
Extract: 4
Lost: 3

Goals for: 19
Goals against: 22
Goal difference: -3

Points: 13

Points per game: 1.3

TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every player to score a Premier League hat-trick for Chelsea?

3. Manchester City

Played: 9
Won: 2
Extract: 6
Lost: 1

Goals for: 16
Goals against: 12
Goal difference: +4

Points: 12

Points per game: 1.33

4. Liverpool

Played: 10
Won: 2
Extract: 6
Lost: 2

Goals for: 16
Goals against: 14
Goal difference: +2

Points: 12

Points per game: 1.2

5. Tottenham

Played: 9
Won: 2
Extract: 3
Lost: 4

Goals for: 16
Goals against: 21
Goal difference: -5

Points: 9

Points per game: 1.0

READ NEXT: Ranking every Premier League club by their wage bill in 2023-24: Arsenal above Liverpool…

TRY A QUIZ: Can you name the 30 most expensive transfers between PL clubs?

6. Manchester United

Played: 10
Won: 1
Extract: 3
Lost: 6

Goals for: 11
Goals against: 21
Goal difference: -10

Points: 6

Points per game: 0.6