That was the dream weekend for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s side took a firmer hold of the Premier League table by beating Crystal Palace 2-0 and Liverpool and Manchester City dropped points in their games. For the first time in years, there’s a genuine sense that Arsenal might finally be ready to cross the line and end their long title drought.
Arsenal Seize Control in Perfect Weekend
An own goal from Eberechi Eze and composed finish of Bukayo Saka earned Arsenal a seventh win in their past nine games to remain four points clear at the top. Perhaps the margin sounds unassailable, but not when you consider how their rivals have been playing and that they aren’t just winning games, they are pulling away like title winners do.
Liverpool’s collapse under new boss Arne Slot has been remarkable — after four straight hammerings they are now beaten and bruised in seventh, looking desperately to rediscover rhythm and confidence. Manchester City, on the other hand, lost at Aston Villa and have already lost three times in the league — a surprising record for one of Pep Guardiola’s teams, who are prized for their relentless consistency.
Arteta, who has soldiered through seasons of “close, but no cigar,” finally seems to have discovered the perfect mix of grit, flair and maturity. Arsenal’s defensive record — the best in the division — is their most significant weapon, while the likes of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard have become symbols of composure rather than chaos.
Title Race Tilting in Arsenal’s Favour
According to Opta’s Supercomputer, Arsenal currently boast a 67.34% chance of lifting the Premier League trophy — a staggering figure that reflects not only their own form but the faltering of their traditional competitors. City hold 12.43%, Liverpool have 11.04%, and Bournemouth, despite sitting second in the table, manage only 1.47%.
This early in the season, numbers can deceive. Yet the eye test supports the data: Arsenal look like a team that has learned from heartbreak. They press smarter, rotate better, and win matches that last season might have ended in frustration. Even when performances dip, they find solutions rather than excuses.
City’s inconsistency, driven partly by injuries and fatigue after years of dominance, has opened a rare window. Liverpool’s transition under Slot looks rocky, and Tottenham’s promising start has not convinced the analytics either — Opta gives them just a 1.43% chance of winning the title.
Then there’s the fairytale of Sunderland. The newly promoted side’s 93rd-minute winner against Chelsea took them into the top four, but they have a 0% chance of winning the league and just a 0.91% probability of finishing in that position. Yet they have been one of the season’s best stories anyway.
For this campaign, though, Arsenal are not entirely in the dark. Arsenal have built their lead through discipline and adaptability, not adrenaline. They have evolved from entertainers into controllers — managing games, defending in numbers, and striking when it matters. It’s the hallmark of champions-in-waiting.
Author’s Verdict: Arsenal Finally Look Ready
Caution lingers around north London — and understandably so. Arsenal faltered again the following season when pressure peaked. But this time, the foundation feels sturdier.
Arteta’s men are no longer the emotional, youthful group learning on the job. They are now hardened by failure, fueled by experience, and guided by a clear identity. The tactical flexibility — with Rice anchoring the midfield and Ben White’s versatility on display — gives Arsenal a completeness that their challengers currently lack.
Anything can happen in football, but momentum is everything. If Arsenal can avoid the kind of major injuries that have derailed their last few winter jaunts, then they may just accomplish something that has been beyond them for 20 years. The title may not officially be over, but right now it is Arsenal’s to lose.
