The 2025-26 Premier League season will be remembered for Arsenal finally ending their 22-year wait for the title, securing the championship after one of the most consistent campaigns in club history. Mikel Arteta’s side proved themselves worthy winners across the traditional league table, but what happens when the season is viewed through alternative statistics and different performance metrics?

By looking beyond the official standings, analysts can uncover surprising trends that reveal which clubs overperformed, underachieved, or benefited from specific strengths throughout the campaign. From expected points models to home and away form and set-piece dominance, the alternative tables provide a fascinating perspective on how the Premier League season unfolded.

While none of these tables change the official outcome, they offer insight into the tactical and statistical trends that defined the year.

Arsenal Dominated Almost Every Metric

One of the clearest conclusions from the alternative data is that Arsenal’s title win was no fluke.

Even when using expected points (xPTS) — a statistical model based on the quality of chances created and conceded — Arsenal still emerged as one of the strongest teams in the division. Expected points calculations use expected goals (xG) and expected goals against (xGA) to estimate how many points teams “should” have won based on performance levels over the season.

In simple terms, the model attempts to remove luck and finishing variance to measure the underlying quality of a team’s football.

Arsenal’s strong position across both the real table and expected points rankings highlighted their balance in attack and defence. They consistently created high-quality opportunities while limiting opponents’ chances, reinforcing the idea that they were deserving champions rather than beneficiaries of fortunate results.

Their dominance from set-pieces also became one of the defining tactical stories of the season.

Sunderland and Aston Villa Overperformed the Data

Perhaps the most surprising revelation from the expected points table involved Sunderland.

Although the newly promoted side successfully avoided relegation in reality, the xPTS model suggested they should have gone down. According to the numbers, Sunderland earned significantly more points than the quality of their performances would normally predict.

This could indicate excellent finishing, strong goalkeeping, or simply a team consistently finding ways to win tight matches. However, analysts often view major overperformance as difficult to sustain long term, meaning Sunderland may face tougher challenges next season if underlying performances do not improve.

Aston Villa also appeared unusually high in the actual standings compared to their expected numbers. While Villa enjoyed another impressive campaign under Unai Emery, the alternative table suggested their performances were closer to mid-table level statistically.

At the opposite end of the scale, Chelsea’s expected points total indicated they should have finished much higher than they actually did. The numbers suggested Chelsea created enough chances and controlled enough matches to secure Champions League qualification, but inconsistent finishing and defensive mistakes ultimately cost them.

The gap between actual results and expected performance once again highlighted football’s unpredictability — one reason why fans continue debating whether advanced statistics truly tell the full story.

Tottenham’s Away Form Saved Their Season

Alternative home and away tables also revealed dramatic differences in how clubs performed depending on location.

Tottenham Hotspur produced one of the strangest splits in the league. Their home form was deeply disappointing, with poor performances in front of their own supporters contributing heavily to an inconsistent campaign. However, their away results were significantly stronger.

In fact, if only away matches counted, Tottenham would have qualified for the Europa League. The contrast suggested they often looked more comfortable playing on the counterattack away from home rather than attempting to dominate possession at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Everton and Nottingham Forest also collected more points away from home than at their own grounds, which surprised many observers given the traditionally intense atmospheres generated by their supporters.

Fulham, meanwhile, showed the biggest positive difference between home and away performances. Craven Cottage once again proved difficult for visiting sides, helping Marco Silva’s team secure valuable points throughout the season.

These contrasting trends highlighted how tactical styles, pressure, crowd expectations, and game management can dramatically influence performances depending on venue.

Set-Pieces Became the Premier League’s Biggest Weapon

One of the defining tactical trends of the 2025-26 season was the increasing importance of set-pieces.

Corners and free-kicks became a major source of goals across the division, with specialist coaches gaining growing recognition for their influence. Long associated with marginal gains, set-piece coaching moved firmly into the spotlight this season as clubs invested heavily in routines, analytics, and aerial specialists.

Arsenal stood out as one of the league’s most dangerous teams from dead-ball situations. Their ability to score from corners and indirect free-kicks became a major talking point throughout the title race.

Opponents frequently struggled to cope with Arsenal’s physical presence, movement, and delivery quality. At times, the Gunners looked almost impossible to defend in these situations.

The tactical focus on set-pieces also sparked wider debate about the direction of modern football. Some supporters praised the efficiency and preparation involved, while others argued the game risked becoming overly mechanical and reliant on rehearsed routines rather than open-play creativity.

Regardless of opinion, there is little doubt that set-piece effectiveness played a huge role in shaping results during the season.

Alternative Tables Reveal the Fine Margins of Football

Although the official Premier League table remains the only one that truly matters, alternative standings provide valuable insight into how teams actually performed beneath the surface.

Expected points models reveal whether clubs sustained performances likely to continue long term. Home and away records expose tactical strengths and weaknesses. Set-piece statistics demonstrate how rapidly football continues to evolve strategically.

Most importantly, these alternative views remind supporters how thin the margins can be across a 38-game season.

A few moments of finishing quality, goalkeeping brilliance, or tactical execution can dramatically alter league positions, even when underlying performances suggest something very different.

For Arsenal, however, the alternative tables mostly confirmed what fans already knew: they were deserved champions. Across almost every metric, Arteta’s side proved themselves the strongest and most complete team in the Premier League during the 2025-26 campaign.