We are almost a quarter of the way through the 2025/26 Premier League season. And after nine games, the Gunners have a very healthy lead at the top of the table. They are four points ahead of second-placed Bournemouth. However, the top of the table has a distinctly unusual look right now, with Spurs and Sunderland a point further back.
Consequently, the gap to the Gunners’ most obvious rivals for the Premier League trophy is an even better six points. While Mikel Arteta’s men have 22 points courtesy of seven wins, a draw and a solitary defeat, Man City are back on 16 points. Pep Guardiola’s men have lost three times already. Moreover, defending champions Liverpool have now lost four league games in a row. That leaves them down in seventh, seven points behind Arsenal.
It was a perfect weekend for Arteta’s troops. They put another three points on the board on Sunday. At the same time, City were being beaten by Aston Villa. And a day earlier, both Liverpool and Chelsea had suffered defeats too, to Brentford and Sunderland respectively. Arsenal are in a commanding position, and fans will surely be believing that this is the season they can finally end their long wait for another league title.
The north London outfit have finished second in each of the past three seasons. Each time they have come up just short, despite at times looking like the title was theirs for the taking. However, they are now big favourites to land their first top-flight championship since their incredible Invincibles season of 2003/04. But can they do it?
No Obvious Challenger
Arsenal have only dropped points this season away at Liverpool and at home to City. They have won all their other games in the league, EFL Cup and Champions League. However, as good as they have been, perhaps the biggest factor in their favour right now is the fact that there does not seem to be anyone who can mount a real challenge.
The current odds for the title are as follows:
- Arsenal, 1/2
- Man City, 11/2
- Liverpool, 8/1
- Man United, 25/1
- Chelsea, 40/1
It is too early to completely write sides such as City and Liverpool off. However, City are still nothing like the dominant force that won four titles in a row. They continue to struggle without Rodri and they are over-reliant on Erling Haaland’s goals. Pep might well get them back to where they were, but we can’t see it happening this season. As for Liverpool, they have far too many problems to list here. They no doubt overachieved last term, and this is effectively a delayed transitional season for them.
Chelsea continue to flatter to deceive all too often and are some way from being serious title contenders. Additionally, the same has to be said of Man United, their short odds are a huge overreaction to three consecutive wins against middling sides. They are moving in the right direction, but they are not there yet.
None of these clubs seem capable of going on the sort of long winning streak that might put some pressure on Arsenal. The Gunners got 89 points in 2023/24 and 84 12 months earlier. We are not convinced that any of their rivals can match those tallies this term. Conversely, this Arsenal side look capable of doing even better.
The Case for the Defence
Arsenal spent a lot of money on Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres and Nonie Madueke, three attacking players. However, the £60m they spent on Martin Zubimendi may prove most crucial in their title challenge. Alongside Declan Rice, he provides a great deal of cover for the Gunners’ back line. Both offer something in attack too, but thus far Arsenal are on target to break the record for the fewest goals conceded in a PL campaign.
They have conceded just three times in nine league clashes. That is title-winning stuff, and it is not down to luck or amazing goalkeeping either. Their expected goals against is easily the lowest in the league. They give up very few shots, even fewer real chances, and dominate games, stifling the opposition.
Formidable Squad Depth
Injuries will always happen in a long Premier League season. The Gunners will hope to compete on four fronts this term. That said, they have the strength in depth to deal with both. Cristhian Mosquera may prove the bargain of the summer window at just £13m from Valencia. With Piero Hincapie also coming in on loan, they have top-quality options if one, or even both, of their first-choice central defenders get injured.
That was lacking last term, while the summer additions, plus others brought in during recent windows, mean they have similar quality all over the pitch. Throw in youngsters such as Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri, and the Gunners have one of the best squads the PL has ever seen.
Title is Arsenal’s to Lose, but What Might go Wrong?
Some bookies price Arteta’s men as short as 2/5 for the title, so their feelings are clear. As well as the key factors above, Arsenal have real experience of a title challenge. They have tasted second place three times in a row, and that will serve them well in the run-in.
However, the title is never won in October, or even in winter. There is a long way to go, and while they are rightly hot favourites, they could yet be derailed. That said, it would take something very out of the ordinary to stop Arsenal ending their long title drought.
Crippling Injuries
Arsenal have the strength in depth to cope with injuries. Even so, if they were affected really badly, for example, suffering three or four injuries in the same position, even they might struggle.
City Surge or Reds Rampage
We do not anticipate City or Liverpool managing to win 15 games in a row. However, both could do that if things suddenly click into place. If one of their rivals went on a crazy winning streak, there might be little the Gunners can do.
Pressure
If City win the next 29 games and get to 103 points then the current leaders might struggle. That is highly unlikely. However, City, Liverpool or perhaps another contender might get their act together sufficiently to apply some real pressure to Arsenal. Their six-point lead looks a lot now, but lose two or three games in a row while a rival keeps winning, and things can change very quickly.
Tired by Europe
Last, Arteta’s side might get tired or distracted by a Champions League run. We believe they have the bodies and experience to cope with that, but if they had two and three games a week regularly when rivals didn’t, fatigue could become an issue in spring.
No comments added yet. Be the first!