Arsenal are inching closer to a 14th first league championship, and a first since they took the 2004 Premier League by storm when they won the title without losing a single game.
Mikel Arteta’s side is five points clear at the top of the table and with a game in hand, and the Premier League 2023 betting odds have shifted towards North London, and away from Manchester, for the first time in a while. This team is not a reincarnation of Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles but this set of Gunners could turn out to be just as good in time. They have lost just once, a match they dominated against Manchester United earlier in the season, and they have won 16 and drawn two of the remainder.
Arsenal are exactly half way through their league campaign and, with 50 points already on the board, some club records could fall this season. At the moment they look like champions; but can this young side see it through?
Well, here are three reasons which convince me they have a good chance.
Arteta’s squad is getting deeper
For so long Arsenal has been a club blessed with talented individuals, but has fallen short for almost two decades, mainly because it has lacked any strength in depth. But Arteta has put together a squad with more players capable of playing in the first 11 and, whenever an injury has happened, they next in line has stepped up and performed.
Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko arrived at the start of the campaign and the ex Manchester City duo took the Gunners to the next level. Jesus was outstanding, scoring five goals and making five assists before the World Cup break. But an injury to the Brazilian has handed an opportunity to Eddie Nketiah, who has been sensational since the turn of the year, and he grabbed a last gasp winner in Arsenal’s thrilling victory over Manchester United last week.
Wide man Gabriel Martinelli has been unplayable at times and he has seven goals, the same number as Bukayo Saka and new recruit Leandro Trossard, signed from Brighton and Hove Albion last week. Meanwhile, in defence, the recall of William Saliba has made a huge difference.
One benefit of leading the league is that it’s easier to attract players and Arteta may not be finished in the January window.
A second Arsenal bid, of £70m, for Moises Caicedo has been turned down, a potential record fee for Brighton in a player sale. Midfield ace Caicedo has announced on social media that he wanted to ‘take up this magnificent opportunity’ and would be proud to bring in a record fee for Brighton. Whether or not the deal goes through it shows just what a pull this new look Arsenal is to the best players in the Premier League and beyond.
Odegaard’s captaincy
Arteta raised a few eyebrows when he appointed Martin Odegaard as club captain, at the age of 23, but the former Real Madrid academy star has risen to the challenge with incredible ease. His calm assurance and clear ability to lead by example has been a key element of Arsenal’s success. With eight goals and five assists he has made a great personal contribution and is highly regarded by the more experienced members of the squad.
Former skipper Granit Xhaka has been in the form of his life, alongside Thomas Partey in midfield, and the Swiss hothead has kept his cool admirably, allowing the boss to trust him with the captain’s armband when Odegaard is rested, as in last week’s FA Cup clash with Manchester City.
Manchester City’s European focus
The biggest threat to the Gunners comes, of course, from Manchester City who are seeking a fifth league title in six seasons. But the Sky Blues’ Premier League 2023 results have not been quite at the expected level, drawing with strugglers Everton and losing to Manchester United in the derby. But when the Arsenal met the Sky Blues last Friday in the FA Cup City triumphed thanks to a second half Nathan Ake effort.
Erling Braut Haaland has been incredible since his arrival at the Etihad and will surely become a City legend, but his arrival has changed the way the Sky Blues play. Pep Guardiola’s team now has a big focus up front and the fluidity of seasons gone by is not always there. I’m sure it will return, but there is little doubt that, having lost to Southampton in the Carabao Cup, Guardiola is picking his battles, and the Champions League must be the biggest priority.
Back to the Premier League.
Next up for Arsenal it’s Everton away and we’ll be previewing that game here at SBOTOP. If, as expected, Sean Dyche is appointed as the Toffees new manager then they will become a different prospect to face and, with a possible ‘new manager bounce’ be a good test of the Gunners’ title credentials.
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