Most surprising Premier League stats so far this season – from red cards to long throw-ins

Arsenal lead the Premier League table in December - will they stay there? ( Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

The Premier League season is almost at the halfway stage and there has been plenty to discuss. Arsenal lead the way with a clear advantage, but is their advantage slipping? Manchester City and Aston Villa may have something to say about that.

Additionally Chelsea have designs on a top-four finish, though look as if they will have to fend off strong competition from Crystal Palace , Manchester United and Liverpool .

But these are the facts everyone is already aware of. It is just as obvious as the fact Erling Haaland stands above the rest as top scorer with 17 strikes in the golden boot race - what about the quirky side of the Premier League that doesn't often get a look-in?

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1 of 10 Set-piece kings As well as leading on points, Arsenal are setting the pace as dead ball specialists. The Gunners have scored 12 times from set-pieces in this season's Premier League - more than any other club. On the flipside, they have conceded just twice from them. ( Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

As well as leading on points, Arsenal are setting the pace as dead ball specialists.

2 of 10 Discipline under the Bridge When it comes to discipline, Chelsea have been severely lacking. In total the Blues have seen four players sent off this season - twice more than any other club. Both Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah fell foul of two yellow cards in the same match, whilst Robert Sanchez and Malo Gusto have both been given straight marching orders.

When it comes to discipline, Chelsea have been severely lacking.

In total the Blues have seen four players sent off this season - twice more than any other club.

3 of 10 Thrown to the Wolves It is shaping up to be a historically bad year for Wolves. 16 matches played, winless with only two points on the board, and already 14 points adrift of safety. At this rate they are firmly on track to take Derby County's unwanted record for the all-time lowest points total in a Premier League campaign. The Rams' total in 2007/08 was just 11 from a possible 114 across a 38-game season.

It is shaping up to be a historically bad year for Wolves.

16 matches played, winless with only two points on the board, and already 14 points adrift of safety. At this rate they are firmly on track to take Derby County's unwanted record for the all-time lowest points total in a Premier League campaign.

4 of 10 Dunk on 'em The top-five players in this season's Premier League for short passes completed are all defenders. Brighton captain Lewis Dunk leads the way with a whopping 1123. He is followed by Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk (1052), Manchester City's Ruben Dias (976), Seagulls teammate Jan Paul van Hecke (963) and Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah (957). The high defensive line is clearly a favourite tactic across the board.

The top-five players in this season's Premier League for short passes completed are all defenders.

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk leads the way with a whopping 1123. He is followed by Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk (1052), Manchester City's Ruben Dias (976), Seagulls teammate Jan Paul van Hecke (963) and Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah (957).

5 of 10 United against the woodwork Manchester United are on a quest to get back amongst Europe's elite. At the moment they sit sixth in the table, two points shy of fourth-placed Chelsea, but they might have already been ahead of their rivals if not for the woodwork. Ruben Amorim's team have hit the post or crossbar a combined 10 times in the league so far in 2025/26 - more than any of their rivals. Bruno Fernandes has been responsible for four of those - unlucky...

Manchester United are on a quest to get back amongst Europe's elite. At the moment they sit sixth in the table, two points shy of fourth-placed Chelsea, but they might have already been ahead of their rivals if not for the woodwork.

6 of 10 Look away now, Isak... Since his British-record £125m transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool, Alexander Isak has struggled to match his previously goalscoring form. To start, he is barely having an impact on play for the Reds, averaging only 14 touches per game - and an even lesser two touches in the opposition penalty area - per appearance so far this term...

Since his British-record £125m transfer from Newcastle United to Liverpool, Alexander Isak has struggled to match his previously goalscoring form.

7 of 10 Back in fashion Another trend now, as Premier League data in 2025/26 has shown a 162 per cent increase in long throws taken per match compared to last season. The average per game has climbed from 1.5 up to 3.8. Brentford's Michael Kayode has truly established himself as the modern Rory Delap, with a total of 54 throws launched into opposition penalty areas so far this season.

Another trend now, as Premier League data in 2025/26 has shown a 162 per cent increase in long throws taken per match compared to last season. The average per game has climbed from 1.5 up to 3.8.

8 of 10 Evanilsoff No Premier League player has been caught offside more times this season than Bournemouth striker Evanilson. The Brazilian has been penalised 13 times - three more than any other player in the division. What's more, it has cost him four goals ruled out for offside so far...

No Premier League player has been caught offside more times this season than Bournemouth striker Evanilson.

9 of 10 No Beuno Coming back to Wolves' woes, perhaps nobody can feel more aggrieved by this than Hugo Bueno. The 23-year-old full-back has actually been one of the Premier League's biggest attacking inspirations. With 21 successful crosses in open play, no other player has managed more than that so far this season. He'll be frustrated his teammates aren't converting his lay-ups into goals, with Wolves on the scoresheet a measly six times this campaign - only two of those actually coming from crosses...

Coming back to Wolves' woes, perhaps nobody can feel more aggrieved by this than Hugo Bueno.

The 23-year-old full-back has actually been one of the Premier League's biggest attacking inspirations. With 21 successful crosses in open play, no other player has managed more than that so far this season.

10 of 10 Like he never left Tottenham Hotspur brought Joao Palhinha back to the Premier League on loan over the summer. The midfielder had completed two seasons at Bayern Munich after leaving Fulham. The Portuguese international has settled back in quickly, recording the most tackles so far in 2025/26 with 65. His nearest challenger, Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams, has 52.

Tottenham Hotspur brought Joao Palhinha back to the Premier League on loan over the summer. The midfielder had completed two seasons at Bayern Munich after leaving Fulham.