Paul Merson believes it's now a "shock" if Arsenal lose a game after another brilliant day in their Premier League title chase.
The Gunners moved seven points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table on Saturday after beating Brighton 4-2 at the Amex. Goals from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli secured the points for Mikel Arteta's team.
Arsenal haven't won the Premier League title since Arsene Wenger's side went a season unbeaten 19 years ago. The Gunners haven't even looked like title candidates for much of that time, yet Merson believes they're now a "proper team" who can achieve success.
"It’s always a nice thing when the team you’re chasing down is Man City, they’re the dangers and they’ve just drew a game at home you’d expect them to win," Arsenal legend Merson told Sky Sports ahead of Saturday evening's victory.
"Mikel Arteta said this is a difficult game, away from the big boys, you can’t explain how difficult this game is. My biggest compliment for Arsenal now over the last three or four years is that I used to go into games thinking I wouldn’t be shocked if they lost but I’d be shocked if they lost.
"The way they’re playing, I’d be shocked if they lost and that’s a compliment to Arsenal. The steel is in there now, this is a proper team."
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Shortly before Arsenal's win at Brighton, Man City failed to beat relegation candidates Everton at the Etihad. Erling Haaland, who has scored 27 goals in all competitions this term, gave Pep Guardiola's side the lead before Demarai Gray salvaged a point.
Although Arsenal are looking good, there is still a long way to go in the title race. The Gunners still have 22 Premier League games left to fulfil and must face Man City twice, with games against Newcastle, Tottenham and Manchester United on the horizon.
It's also important to remember what Arsenal's title rivals are capable of. Guardiola's side have a reputation of putting winning runs together - while Eddie Howe's Newcastle, Erik ten Hag's Man Utd and Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are all in good form heading into 2023.
Nevertheless, Arsenal's results this season show how far they've come under Arteta. The Gunners finished eighth in each of Arteta's first two seasons in charge and haven't qualified for the Champions League since the 2015/16 campaign - when Leicester won the title.
Arsenal were regarded as one of the Premier League's best teams during Wenger's early years, winning three titles between 1998 and 2004. They were not considered as one of the title favourites heading into this term, but 14 wins in 16 games has changed that.
Regardless of whether Arsenal go on to win the Premier League title, they are expected to make a return to the Champions League. The Gunners have also progressed to the last 16 of the Europa League, which offers an alternative route to Europe's premier competition.
