Arsenal must be dreading their trip to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City. So often the bogey team for Arsenal, they must be glad to come away from the fixture with a point.
Some will say this is just another game, unlike the local derbies or top of the table clash. But is this really so? Not, according to the fortune tellers among the fans.
They will look into the history books and point out a fact. In the past 5 seasons, no eventual league champion has lost at the Britannia Stadium.
Looking at the likely contenders for the title this season, Stoke has beaten both Manchester clubs while Tottenham has yet to visit Stoke. Only Arsenal and Leicester has gone and came away without suffering a defeat. If we are to push further, Liverpool has recorded a win.
The historians in them went further. Out of the five seasons, four teams who led the table on New Year's Day remain in top spot at the end of the season. And the club who is leading the pack on New Year's Day, Arsenal.
Putting both "facts" together, the fortune telling instinct kicks in and they predicted that the Gunners will be crowned champions come May. It is written in the stars, they says.
How far is their prediction from the reality? Let us look at the statistic provided by WhoScored.com.
With an overall rating of 7.07, Arsenal are the top in terms of performance points, followed closely by Leicester with a score of 7.02.
Arsenal under Wenger's reign is known for their possession and passing game. While they have somewhat change their tactics this season, they are still among the top of the pile with 55.8% possession and 84.3% successful passes.
One surprising stats is the number of goals from counter-attack. Speed is essential during a counter attack and with a forward line consisting of Sanchez, Walcott, Chamberlain and aided by Bellerin raiding down the right flank, they have plenty of it. How they cannot take advantage of it is anyone's guess.
Topping almost in all categories, it does looks like the London club is in for a real shout. The fortune tellers could be right afterall.
But there is one fact they missed out. The only team which was at the top on New Year's Day and failed to win the title, ARSENAL.
Do you think Arsenal will end their 12 years wait for the league title?
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