Arsenal roundup: four from four, top of the table and Brighton next

Four games, four wins, top of the table. Arsenal's start to the Premier League season could hardly have gone more to plan — and, according to the Premier League table, they lead the way on goal difference from Manchester City, with both sides on 12 points.

The state of play

• Position: 1st, on 12 points — ahead of Manchester City on goal difference
• Record: played 4, won 4, drawn 0, lost 0
• Goals: 8 for, 1 against (goal difference +7)
• Form: WWWW — four straight wins

How they got here

FanTribe's results data shows a 2-0 win at Sunderland, a 2-1 home victory over Chelsea and a 1-0 win at Aston Villa among Arsenal's matches to date, with the only goal conceded coming in the Chelsea game. The goals have been shared rather than stacked on one name: FanTribe's scoring list has Saka, Havertz and Odegaard on two apiece, with the remainder spread around the squad.

Off-field business

Away from the pitch, BBC Sport reported on Monday that Arsenal are to contact the referees' body over a penalty decision involving Konsa — a reminder that not everything in this opening stretch has been serene.

Next up: Brighton away

Attention turns to Saturday 19 September and a trip to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion. It is a fixture with an intriguing edge: according to the table, fifth-placed Brighton have scored 13 goals, more than any other side, against an Arsenal defence breached just once.

Bookmaker odds supplied via api_football make Arsenal the favourites at 1.70 — a bookmaker-derived implied probability of 55% — with Brighton at 4.73 (20% implied) and the draw at 3.80 (25% implied). FanTribe's prediction points reflect that market: a correct call on Arsenal is worth 34 points, the draw pays 76 and a Brighton win would earn 95.

Leeds lie in wait

Further ahead, Leeds United — third in the table with eight points from an unbeaten start — visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday 10 October. The bookmakers still make Arsenal strong favourites: 1.30 for the home win, an implied probability of 73%, with the draw at 5.40 (18%) and Leeds at 10.50 (9%). On FanTribe, the points on offer are 26 for an Arsenal win, 108 for the draw and 210 for a Leeds victory.

Fan sentiment

FanTribe's own fan data shows a 35-strong Arsenal community on the platform, and there has been no shortage for them to cheer. Four wins, first place and favouritism in both upcoming listed fixtures — according to the bookmakers, at least — make for a contented September. The next job: keep it rolling on the south coast.