The current 2025/26 Premier League season has delivered an astonishing reality for Arsenal fans: a definitive six-point cushion at the top of the table after just 12 games. The 4-1 dismantling of Tottenham Hotspur, coupled with the dramatic slip-ups of rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, has established a lead that is not just significant, but historically unique.
Based on Premier League history since its inception in 1992, Arsenal has never held a lead of this magnitude after only 12 games played. This statistic elevates the current campaign to arguably the best start in the club’s modern history in terms of controlling the title race early on.
The Historical Benchmark: Narrow Margins
To fully appreciate the significance of the current six-point gap, one must look at Arsenal’s best title-contending starts, which were often defined by tight margins:
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The Invincibles (2003/04): Even the legendary unbeaten side did not achieve this early dominance. After 12 games, Arsenal secured 30 points, but only held a 1-point lead over a fiercely competitive Chelsea side.
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The Best Points Haul (2022/23): Statistically, Arsenal registered a high point total of 31 points after 12 games played. However, the relentless pressure from Manchester City meant their lead was only 2 points. In the end, City won the league with 5 points margin (89-84)
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The Closest Call (2013/14): Arsenal’s strongest recent lead came after 12 games when they sat on 28 points, holding a 4-point advantage over Liverpool and Chelsea. Unfortunately, that lead was soon eroded by injuries, and they finished outside the top two.
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Unprecedented Dominance in 2025/26
The current six-point lead over nearest challengers Chelsea in the 2025/26 campaign shatters all these prior benchmarks. This signals a level of collective performance that is simply not being matched by their rivals.
The magnitude of this record-breaking start has not been lost on club legends. Thierry Henry, a key member of the ‘Invincibles,’ offered a powerful message to the current squad, urging them to embrace their new status as favourites:
“At some point, you have to embrace it. People are talking about the process. It’s not believing in the process anymore. It’s happening. You have to be honest. We put ourselves in the situation where we believe we have the best squad.
“So you need to make sure that you can win the league. I’m not saying they are going to win it but you need to act like you are the favourite. Embrace it. It’s not me trying to put pressure. If I were coming back in the summer, I would have said, ‘It’s time to stop messing around.’ We now need a performance this year where people are scared of us. It’s not being cocky.”
Henry’s challenge underlines the definitive shift in expectation. This 6-point advantage is not luck; it is a mandate.
The task for the current Arsenal squad is clear: convert this unprecedented statistical advantage into sustained momentum. If they can heed Henry’s call, this lead will be remembered not just as a great start, but as the foundation of a title-winning season.
Here’s the table showing the points gap between 1st and 2nd place after Matchweek 12 for selected Premier League season:
| Season | Leader (Point) | 2nd place | Gap |
| 2025/26 | Arsenal (29) | Chelsea (23) | 6 |
| 2024/25 | Liverpool (31) | Man City (23) | 8 |
| 2022/23 | Arsenal (31) | Man City (29) | 2 |
| 2015/16 | Man City (26) | Arsenal (26) | 0 |
| 2013/14 | Arsenal (28) | Liverpool (24) | 4 |
| 2003/04* | Arsenal (30) | Chelsea (29) | 1 |
| 2001/02* | Liverpool (23) | Leeds Utd (23) | 0 |
| 1997/98* | Man Utd (25) | Arsenal (24) | 1 |
Note: Arsenal won premier league in 1997/98, 2001/02, and 2003/04.
