Arsene Wenger claims Arsenal can capitalise on the lack of a "super dominating team" in the Premier League this season to lift their first title since 2004.
The legendary former Gunners manager also believes the mid-season break imposed due to the World Cup in Qatar contributes to his old club's "good opportunity". Arsenal have enjoyed a brilliant start to the season under Mikel Arteta, winning six of their seven league games to sit pretty at the top of the table at this early stage.
Defending champions Manchester City are just one point behind, ahead of Tottenham on goal difference, after dropping points in draws with Newcastle and Aston Villa. Wenger does not regard Pep Guardiola's side as the all-powerful side of recent years and suspects this could open the door for their rivals to challenge them for the title.
"I would say they have a good chance this season because I don't see any super dominating team," the French icon told Sky Sports of Arsenal's title hopes. "I believe that it is a good opportunity to do it this season.
"Of course, it's a little bit of a special season as well because you have the World Cup in the middle and you don't know how much that will affect the performances of the individual players and of the teams. Overall, I believe there is a good opportunity there this season."
While Arsenal went into the September international break leading the way in the Premier League, Arteta has refused to talk up his side's hopes of being crowned champions come May. Speaking in his press conference after last Sunday's classy 3-1 victory over Brentford, he said: "You can ask me every day. Today we are top of the league, I am so happy.
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"Yesterday, I was so annoyed because we lost it [against Manchester United ] and we used that today as we want to get back there and show that we want to be there and that’s what we're going to do. Push to be the best that we can be and that's the aim and then the table won't lie after 38 games."
Arsenal return to action after the international break by hosting local rivals Tottenham at the Emirates in what is, on paper, their most challenging fixture of the season so far. Spurs have not tasted defeat in the top flight this term and sent a statement of their own quality by thrashing Leicester 6-2 in their most recent outing.
Meanwhile, discussing his plans for the international break, Arteta said: "I want to spend some time with my kids and my family, whether that will be in London or away. And look after the boys that are here because we have quite a few, we need to look after them as well because some of them are injured. And start to prepare because we have a beautiful game coming up very soon."
