Arsenal and Manchester City are the only two teams with 12 points from four games. They are already four points above third-placed Hull City and five above the rest.

Arsenal, defending champions and pre-season favourites under Mikel Arteta, ended a 22-year title drought last season. They beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield and have won nine straight league games, last losing to City on 19 April.

City no longer have Pep Guardiola, who left after six titles in 10 years. Enzo Maresca, once his assistant, has led them to four wins from four, including a controversial 1-0 win at Manchester United where Erling Haaland scored and the Premier League later admitted an offside mistake.

Despite 100% starts, underlying numbers show no total dominance. Brighton (13) and Chelsea (10) have scored more than the eight goals netted by both top teams. Arsenal and City rank 10th and 11th for shots. Arsenal have conceded once; City twice.

Other contenders: Chelsea (5th, 10 goals but 9 conceded), Liverpool (7th, unbeaten but three draws), Manchester United (13th, four points), and Spurs (17th, no goals in first four league games).