ARSENAL finished top of the 2024 Premier League table despite failing to win the title last season and sitting off the pace midway through the current campaign.
The Gunners picked up 85 points across their 36 games in the calendar year.
Liverpool, who sit six points clear of Arsenal in this season’s Premier League, accumulated the same number of points having played one more game.
However, Arsenal sit top of the table due to their goal difference of 64, compared with Liverpool’s 50.
Champions Manchester City beat Arsenal to the title by two points back in May.
Yet due to their recent dismal run they actually finished 2024 with 82 points, three fewer than Arsenal and Liverpool.
The top three ended 2024 clear of the rest, with Chelsea in fourth on 70 points.
They were followed by Newcastle, Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Fulham.
Tottenham finished down in ninth following a chaotic year which saw them pick up 51 points.
Manchester United also claimed 51 points but finished below Spurs by virtue of their shocking -1 goal difference.
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Down the bottom, Southampton sit at the foot of the 23-team table after claiming just six points from 19 matches.
Last season’s bottom club Sheffield United only earned seven points before being relegated in the first half of 2024.
Fellow relegated and promoted sides Luton, Burnley, Leicester and Ipswich understandably make up the rest of the bottom six.
The lowest-ranked team that spent all of 2024 in the Premier League is Wolves on 34 points.
3
Arsenal ratings vs Brentford
ARSENAL came from a goal down to triumph 3-1 over Brentford on New Year’s Day.
Here’s how the players rated…
DAVID RAYA – 6
Beaten at his near post by Mbeumo but not helped by slack defending. Almost doubled Brentford’s lead by fumbling a routine shot and forced to scramble back and clear off his own line. Shaky with ball at feet too. Not the best West London return.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 6
Lucky to escape further punishment after a clumsy first half lunge earned him only a yellow. Worked hard down the right but could not give Nwaneri the support he needed.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Remained a calming presence when Arsenal struggled to create in the opening stages.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 7
A rock at the back defending set-pieces and aerial deliveries into his box.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Should have done better to stop Mbeumo cutting inside for his opener. Far too easy.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Composed on the ball and with some neat and important interceptions. His curled shot paved the way for the equaliser.
MIKEL MERINO – 7
Won some important duels as Arsenal pinned Brentford back early on. Clinical in the box to put his side ahead after a goalmouth scramble.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 6
Lost the ball in midfield before Brentford took the lead. A rare quiet outing. Lucky that others around him stepped up.
ETHAN NWANERI – 7
Struggled to have any real impact in open play, given the impossible job of replicating what Saka does out on the right wing. However, two deliveries into the box brought about two goals to secure the three points.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8
Lively with little end product in the first half. That all changed after the break with a sweet volley to kill Brentford’s comeback hopes. Was a constant threat.
GABRIEL JESUS – 8
He just cannot stop scoring. His instincts in the box look to be back to the levels he produced at Manchester City.
SUBSTITUTES
LEANDRO TROSSARD (NWANERI, 78) – 6
Made a few good runs in behind but that was about it.
DECLAN RICE (MERINO, 78) – 6
Solidified the midfield. Played almost as a roaming No.10 when Odegaard went off.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (CALAFIORI, 78) – 6
So comfortable on the ball. Practically played as a left winger at times.
JORGINHO (ODEGAARD, 88) – N/A
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO (JESUS, 90) – N/A
:quality(80)/images.vogel.de/vogelonline/bdb/1484300/1484347/original.jpg?resize=300,300&ssl=1 "Arne Slot uplifts Caoimhin Kelleher despite “wrong judgement” for late goal")
