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Premier League Report Card - Part One: Arsenal must cope without Bukayo Saka, Chelsea's fleeting title challenge is diminishing, and Bournemouth is making a strong push for recognition

January, 03, 2025-03:52

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Premier League Report Card - Part One: Arsenal must cope without Bukayo Saka, Chelsea's fleeting title challenge is diminishing, and Bournemouth is making a strong push for recognition.

This season has taken some unexpected turns—Manchester City is struggling, Nottingham Forest is surprisingly in contention for a top-four finish, and Arne Slot's dominant Liverpool team is experiencing no setbacks. As we enter the new year, Liverpool leads the league with 45 points from 18 matches, while Arsenal trails in second place with 39 points, having played one additional game.

The competition for Champions League spots remains intense, with only a six-point difference separating Chelsea in fourth from Aston Villa in ninth. Conversely, Southampton is at risk of breaking the record for the lowest points total in Premier League history, currently sitting at the bottom with just six points.

Derby County holds the record for the fewest points among the 646 teams that have completed top-flight seasons since 1992, managing only 11 points in the 2007-08 season. If Ivan Juric cannot turn Southampton's situation around, they may surpass Derby for this unfortunate distinction in English football.

At Mail Sport, we have begun our Premier League report cards, evaluating teams from Arsenal to Ipswich. Unfortunately, supporters of the other 10 Premier League clubs have had to wait to learn their team's grades. With that in mind, Mail Sport has prepared report cards for all 20 teams following 19 game weeks of play. Here is the initial set for your review.