ARSENAL’S fate has been sealed for another season with the news that they can officially no longer win the Premier League.
This weekend’s results ensured Liverpool are mathematically out of the Gunners’ grasp.
Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League are officially over for another seasonCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Liverpool cannot be caught by anyone from ninth downwards and are therefore safe from relegationCredit: EPA
Mikel Arteta’s side could only manage a 0-0 draw at Burnley while the Reds thumped Southampton 4-0.
The Turf Moor stalemate was Arsenal’s fourth in a row and 13th of the season, meaning they are just five away from breaking the record for the most draws in a 38-game Premier League season.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s win was their 24th out of 25 league games this season – with that solitary draw at Manchester United the one blemish – meaning they moved on to an unprecedented 73 points.
Arsenal, however, are languishing in tenth on just 31 points.
Even if the Gunners won all 13 of their remaining games and pick up all 39 points, their total for the season can only be 70 – three short of Liverpool’s current tally.
In fact, every team from Merseyside rivals Everton in ninth – who can reach 72 – down to Norwich are now officially out of the title race this season.
And therefore because no team in the bottom half can catch Jurgen Klopp’s runaway winning machine, Liverpool are also officially safe from relegation.
However, in part because of Liverpool’s record run of form – they are 42 games unbeaten in the top flight dating back to January 2019 – there are plenty of other crazy outcomes still on the cards.
Norwich City may be propping up the Premier League table and seven points adrift of safety, but they still have plenty to play for.
If Daniel Farke’s Canaries turn around their struggling form and somehow win their last 13 games this season, they would finish on 57 points.
Second-placed Manchester City are currently on 51 and a dramatic – albeit very unlikely – set of circumstances could see Norwich finish above Pep Guardiola’s side and secure Champions League football, rather than Championship football, at Carrow Road next season.
Similarly, with City only 27 points clear of the relegation zone, the reigning Prem champs are still not guaranteed survival this season.
If they lose all 13 and those from third to 18th all pick up enough points to catch them, the will be going from champions to Championship.
Liverpool are the runaway Premier League leaders and could still finish on a staggering 112 points from a possible 114
Liverpool are still on course to break a number of incredible records this season.
After already registering the best start to a season and matching Manchester City’s run of 20 home wins on the trot, they are now eyeing plenty more.
Win their next three games and they will have the longest run of consecutive wins.
They are just eight unbeaten matches from breaking the Invincibles’ 49-match haul and are on course to become only the second team to go a whole season unbeaten.
With 24 wins already this term, they are on course for the most wins, most home wins and most away wins in a single campaign.
The Reds can also obliterate the current Premier League record for the most points in a season.
Manchester City’s Centurions managed 100 in 2017/18 but Liverpool are still on course for a staggering 112 should they win their last 13 – they need just 18 points to be confirmed as champions.
In another remarkable Liverpool stat, the Reds have 110 points from their last 38 Prem games, 28 more than second-placed City.
And last but by no means least, Klopp’s men could have not botherd playing a league match until October 5 – as long as the Premier League didn’t boot them out, of course – and they would still be top of the table.
Pep Guardiola is not safe from relegation just yet and could see plenty of his side’s records smashed by LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
There is still hope for Norwich fans – they could watch the Champions League rather than the Championship at Carrow Road next seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta blames grass for struggling to score in dull draw at Burnley
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
