Have Arsenal or Manchester United had the Better Season?

Arsenal's dreams of clinching their first Premier League title since their historic unbeaten season in 2003/04 seemed within reach just a few weeks ago. However, recent weeks have been less successful, with draws against Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton, followed by a defeat to rivals Manchester City. These results have significantly narrowed the gap at the top of the table. At one point, Arsenal enjoyed an eight-point lead, but they now find themselves just two points clear, with Manchester City having two games in hand. It is widely anticipated that City will win both of these matches, the first one against West Ham on Thursday, which would put them back in the top spot.

Meanwhile, Manchester United, who secured the League Cup, are sitting in fourth place. They have also had an impressive season as their rebuild under manager Ten Haag begins to take shape. The addition of domestic silverware has further strengthened their case for having a better season. The race for the better season between Arsenal and Manchester United is closely contested, and I will analyze the arguments for each team.

The Case for Arsenal:

This season, Arsenal has exceeded expectations and enjoyed one of their best campaigns in recent years. They held the top spot in the league for over 200 days, and although they have an outside chance of challenging Manchester City if City slips up in their games in hand, the title is largely in City's hands. Mikel Arteta has emerged as one of the standout managers of the season, demonstrating his ability to lead the team even during challenging times. What's particularly impressive is that Arteta has achieved this with the youngest team in the league, setting a strong foundation for the future.

A key contributor to Arsenal's success has been Martin Ødegaard, who has emerged as the club's top scorer this season. His performances have been exceptional, earning him the captain's armband and inspiring even higher levels of performance from the Norwegian. It is highly likely that Ødegaard will be included in the Premier League team of the season, alongside a few of his teammates. Wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have also enjoyed their best seasons to date, both reaching double figures in terms of goals. At just 21 years old, Saka is set to be a crucial part of the Gunners' future success.

Arsenal's attacking prowess has been evident throughout the season, with the team scoring an impressive 81 goals in just 34 games. Arteta's forward-thinking tactics have played a significant role in this achievement, allowing the team to consistently threaten opposition defenses. Additionally, Arsenal boasts the joint-fourth best defense in the league, highlighting the team's well-rounded nature. It's worth noting that Arsenal may have achieved an even higher league position if not for the absence of center-back William Saliba due to injury.

In European competition, Arsenal reached the round of 16 but unfortunately crashed out on penalties. However, their strong league performance ensures a return to the Champions League next season, and it will be fascinating to see how the young team fares on that stage. In the domestic cups, Arsenal only reached the 3rd round of the League Cup and the 4th round of the FA Cup. While the lack of silverware raises questions about their overall success this season, there is potential for future growth and improvement.

The Case for Manchester United:

Manchester United has experienced a challenging period since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, but this season under Erik Ten Haag marks a turning point. Ten Haag has had a successful first season in English football, guiding the team to a potential third-place finish and securing a spot in the Champions League. Winning the League Cup against Newcastle was a significant highlight, as it ended the club's six-year trophy drought. Additionally, United has reached the FA Cup final, where they will face Manchester City in June. Adding the FA Cup to Ten Haag's accomplishments in his debut season would be a remarkable achievement.

However, there have been some issues under Ten Haag's management. United suffered a humiliating 7-0 defeat against Liverpool, which ranks among the worst days in the club's history. Furthermore, heavy losses to Brentford (4-0) and Manchester City (6-3) indicate that the team can struggle at times. To compete for titles in the Premier League and Champions League next season, United must address these weaknesses and rectify their mistakes. Currently occupying fourth place in the league, their attack has been a concern, as they have the eighth-best record with 49 goals scored in 32 games. The lack of an elite striker has been evident, with players like Weghorst and Martial falling short as consistent starters. Rumors linking United with Tottenham's Harry Kane suggest that the addition of a top-class striker could make them one of the most exciting teams in world football next season.

Conclusion:

If we considered just the titles then Manchester United clearly had the better season but if you considered which team has performed better overall this season, Arsenal are miles ahead of Manchester United as we have seen them put 8/10 or 9/10 or even 10/10 performances week in week out this season.