The 2024/25 Premier League season has begun with widespread unpredictability, echoing past periods of turbulence. Arsenal lead by six points after nine games, while promoted teams like Sunderland thrive and established clubs like Liverpool and Nottingham Forest struggle unexpectedly.
The Premier League appears to be in a new era of chaos, similar to the interregnum between the dominance of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. Last season's table was already erratic, with Liverpool winning the title unopposed despite Arne Slot's side not matching the sustained excellence of past champions. Nottingham Forest contended for Champions League spots, while Tottenham and Manchester United endured poor form reminiscent of the 1970s.
This season's standings are even more bizarre after nine games. Arsenal top the table, six points clear of relevant challengers, having conceded just three goals—the fewest in the league. Despite a tough opening schedule, they face easier fixtures against Burnley and Sunderland before the international break. Goalkeeper David Raya faces minimal shots, highlighting their defensive solidity.
Tottenham sit third with a joint-second best defense and equal-top scoring record, yet their home form is relegation-level. They have earned 13 points from their last 18 home Premier League games but the same from five away matches this season.
Defending champions Liverpool won their first five games but have since lost four in a row, struggling to replicate last season's alchemy under Slot. Experiments like using Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back and Virgil van Dijk's visible frustration with opponents underscore their issues.
Promoted Sunderland have more points than Southampton managed all last season and more than Leicester at this stage in their 2015/16 title-winning campaign, sitting five points behind Arsenal. Bournemouth are unbeaten in eight games (five wins, three draws) after an opening loss, conceding seven goals with four clean sheets despite losing £200m in defensive talent. Under Andoni Iraola, they show resilience.
Brentford, led by rookie manager Keith Andrews after Thomas Frank's departure to Tottenham, sit level with Crystal Palace, having beaten Manchester United and Liverpool. Wolves are winless in 13 league games following a six-win streak six months ago, with a managerial change expected soon. Nottingham Forest are on their third manager, risking three years of progress. West Ham rely heavily on Jarrod Bowen amid broader struggles.
The promoted trio—Sunderland, Leeds United, and Burnley—are competitive, outside the bottom three, and collectively hold over three-quarters of the points amassed by last season's promoted teams. This competence amplifies chaos for mid-table sides like Forest, West Ham, and Wolves.