Arsenal's flying start ranks among the 10 best in Premier League history

Arsenal have had a stellar start to the season, with seven wins from eight games putting them in the top 10 best openings of a Premier League campaign.

Here are the 10 fastest teams to come out of the blocks (Manchester United are nowhere to be found) and how it ended for the others…

10) Arsenal 2022/23 – 21 pointsW7 D0 L1 F20 A8 GD+12Average goals scored: 2.5Average goals conceded: 1End position: ?

Arsenal have started the season in great shape and, disturbingly, don't seem destined to implode anytime soon. Manchester City will likely continue to march in the league now that they're getting into their stride, but the Gunners' start looks oddly durable.

9) Newcastle United 1995/96 – 21 pointsW7 D0 L1 F17 A4 GD+13Average goals scored: 2.13Average goals conceded : 0.5Final position: second place

Kevin Keegan's artists captivated us all with a springtime drama plot. After opening a 12-point lead, they gave in to Manchester United's force of presence, as Eric Cantona brought the Red Devils level with the Magpies before racing towards the line.

8) Chelsea 2012/13 – 22 pointsW7 D1 L0 F19 A6 GD+13Average goals scored: 2.38Average goals conceded: 0.75 Final position: 3rd

After winning the Champions League the previous season, Roberto Di Matteo's Blues sprinted out of the blocks. But after day eight, they exploded dramatically. They went seven winless in the league and damaged their Champions League prospects, prompting Roman Abramovich to knock out Di Matteo and hire Rafa Benitez as caretaker boss. Benitez was not a popular fixture, but he steadied the ship and carried the Blues into the top four while winning the Europa League.

Premier League records that are unlikely to ever be broken include Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd

7) Chelsea 2014/15 – 22 pointsW7 D1 L0 F23 A8 GD+15Average goals scored: 2.88Average goals conceded: 1Final Ranking: Champions

José Mourinho's men never let up, losing just three games all season, the first defeat coming in December at Newcastle. The title ended with three games remaining and the Blues cruised to the finish line, eight points ahead of City.

6) Newcastle United 1994/95 – 22 pointsW7 D1 L0 F25 A8 GD+17Average goals scored: 3.13Average goals conceded : 1Final position: sixth

The Toons had the best start to the season in their history and they stayed ahead until mid-November. Then they won just once in 11 games and sold Andy Cole to Manchester United. Keegan's men regained some composure to hold on to third place until six games from the finish line. Then they lost it again, slipping out of European places on the final day.

5) Arsenal 2004/05 – 22 pointsW7 D1 L0 F26 A7 GD+19Average goals scored: 3.25Average goals conceded: 0.88 Final Position: Finalists

Unbeaten the previous season, the Invincibles began the new campaign in a similar vein, setting a new English division record before being beaten at the 50th attempt by Manchester United in uncontroversial circumstances. As their unbeaten streak came to an end, the Gunners' form plummeted and their defense cracked. Chelsea took over at the top from where they never fell, although Arsenal ended the season with eight wins from nine games.

4) Manchester City 2011/12 – 22 pointsW7 D1 L0 F27 A6 GD+21Average goals scored: 3.38Average goals conceded : 0.75Final position: Champions

City only tasted defeat in mid-December at Chelsea and Roberto Mancini's men held on to top spot through the winter as they sought their first Premier League title. Then they screwed up to allow United to go ahead, only for the Red Devils to do even more damage in their own bed, which resulted in Aguerooooooo on Sunday.

3) Manchester City 2017/18 – 24 pointsW7 D1 L0 F29 A4 GD+25Average goals scored: 3.63Average goals conceded: 0, 5Final Position: Champions

City never let up on their way to Pep Guardiola's Premier League debut...