Arsenal have made their best start to a Premier League season in years, sitting top with nine wins from ten games played and with a four-point gap to second. While pre-season discussion was firmly centred around a return to the top four, their form has made many discuss them as title contenders.
"It can be a special year if we keep going like we are working at the moment, we can get something big," midfielder Granit Xhaka told the Daily Mail earlier this month. "Of course [Arsenal can win the title]. We have to believe in ourselves. If not, why are we playing?"
It shows that despite manager Mikel Arteta playing coy on their chances of winning the Premier League this season, there is a growing confidence in their ability to challenge. It's ramping up game by game, with every opponent they're knocking down on their path.
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Champions Manchester City are still seen as favourites to win it, having the strength in depth and quality to consistently compete in the past few years. While that may be the case in a normal season, this one is anything but as English football approaches a huge point in November.
That point is when domestic football stops for over one month due to the World Cup, with the first ever winter tournament being held in Qatar. It's unknown territory for everyone, with uncertainty as to the conditions players may return, the confidence as well as momentum after a month without playing as a team.
That could provide a boost as much as it could damage Arsenal in their title ambitions, however former player Jermaine Pennant believes the side will collapse after the competition. He told Talksport: "I think Arsenal after Christmas will cookie crumble. Like they did the year before to drop out of the Champions League spot.”
While the Gunners did struggle to handle the pressure late on last campaign, things look different this time around. However, the mid-season break still ponders the question of if they will return the same side as they have been for the first stretch of the season.
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