Arsenal Roundup: Three Wins From Three Leave Gunners Second Only to City

Three matches into the new campaign, the state of play at Arsenal is about as healthy as it gets: a perfect record, a place in the top two and a squad earning plaudits from the pundits. Here is FanTribe's roundup of where things stand.

Second only on goals scored

According to the Premier League table, Arsenal sit second with three wins from three, six goals scored and just one conceded. The only side above them is Manchester City, who share Arsenal's nine points and +5 goal difference but edge the standings having scored seven to Arsenal's six. Third-placed Hull City, on seven points, lead the chase behind the top two.

The results so far

• Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
• Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal
• Arsenal 3-0 Coventry City

The quieter wins — 1-0 at Aston Villa and 3-0 against Coventry City — have done the job efficiently, but it was the Chelsea victory that set the tone. BBC Sport's highlights package was headlined "Champions Arsenal come from behind to beat Chelsea", while a player-ratings piece on the broadcaster's website was titled "Odegaard and Saka star - player ratings for Arsenal v Chelsea". A BBC Sport match report carried the headline "No new striker, no worries - Havertz and Odegaard torment Chelsea", and a separate video piece was titled "Odegaard 'desire' in Chelsea win impresses Rooney". The inquest on the beaten side included "Two right-backs in midfield - are Chelsea short despite £349m spent?", and BBC Sport also carried "Baum scores on debut as Arsenal edge Brighton".

What's next

Arsenal now head out on the road:

• Sunderland v Arsenal — Saturday 12 September, 8pm kick-off
• Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal — Saturday 19 September, 3pm kick-off

That unusual Saturday evening kick-off at Sunderland has already drawn attention, with BBC Sport asking "Why is Sunderland vs Arsenal at 8pm on Saturday?".

FanTribe's fixture data makes Arsenal the away favourite in both games. They are priced at 1.51 to win at Sunderland, with the hosts at 8 and the draw at 4.5, and at 1.83 on the south coast, where Brighton are 4.6 and the draw 3.85.

Fan sentiment

FanTribe's own fan data shows 34 supporters following Arsenal on the platform, and there has been precious little for them to grumble about three matches in. A perfect record, a defence breached only once and an attack drawing glowing reviews from BBC Sport's pundits make for a settled mood. The real test, as ever, is whether the Gunners can keep pace with Manchester City across a full season rather than simply making a flying start.

Next up: the road — first to Sunderland on Saturday evening, then Brighton the following weekend.