Hope is one thing Arsenal followers have had loads of in latest title battles, however typically been shattered because the Gunners in the end fell quick.
This season, nevertheless, feels totally different.
Saturday’s 2-0 win at Burnley was their fifth in a row within the Premier League that moved them seven factors clear in prime spot, albeit having performed a sport greater than a few of these beneath them.
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The victory additionally put stress on conventional rivals comparable to Manchester Metropolis – who’re 9 factors behind and host second-placed Bournemouth on Sunday – and Liverpool, who Aston Villa in a while Saturday 10 off the tempo.
It’s, in fact, nonetheless early days however may this lastly be Arsenal’s yr after a 22-year wait and ending runners-up for the previous three seasons?
BBC Sport takes a have a look at why their championship cost is wanting stronger than ever.
Power from set-pieces
Arsenal’s opener in opposition to Burnley got here from a set-piece scenario [AFP via Getty Images]
Burnley achieved promotion from the Championship final season on the again of a formidable defensive file, conceding simply 16 targets in 46 video games to focus on simply how resolute they are often.
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That was evident on Saturday, however when Mikel Arteta’s males had been confronted with disciplined and organised defensive strains that made scoring from open play tough, set-pieces grew to become essential as soon as extra.
Arsenal excel on this space with their opener at Turf Moor coming from a nook – their eighth on this trend throughout this league marketing campaign, probably the most ever by a staff of their first 10 video games of a marketing campaign.
In whole, 12 of their 18 league targets this season have come from dead-ball conditions – greater than every other aspect within the prime flight and the best ratio by any staff in a single Premier League season.
“I can not see a weak spot,” former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer instructed BBC Sport.
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“They’ve scored once more from a set-piece however there’s been a lot greater than that within the efficiency. I like the best way they’re utilizing [Riccardo] Calafiori and [Jurrien] Timber in superior positions to create overloads and win set-piece alternatives.”
A near-impenetrable defence
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has had only one save to make within the final 4 Premier League video games [AFP via Getty Images]
You must return to twenty-eight September in opposition to Newcastle for the final time Arsenal conceded – however nonetheless fought again to win 2-1.
They haven’t let in a objective within the seven video games since then, though got here inside inches of seeing that run ended when Burnley’s Marcus Edwards hit the put up from a free-kick within the remaining seconds.
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Regardless of that late scare, the 2-0 win meant Arsenal had stored a clear sheet in seven consecutive matches in all competitions for the primary time since doing so between March and April 1999 (additionally a run of seven).
Subsequent up is a visit to Slavia Prague within the Champions League on Tuesday. If they will keep away from conceding once more it should mark solely the second time within the membership’s historical past they are going to have stored groups out for eight video games in a row, having beforehand managed it again in 1903.
However Arsenal are additionally not giving up possibilities and have confronted only one shot on track of their final 4 league video games.
Burnley away was additionally a fixture the place Arsenal groups of latest seasons may need acquired bullied in a bodily battle, however they’re standing as much as such challenges now.
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Former Manchester Metropolis defender Nedum Onuoha mentioned: “After I first began doing punditry in 2021, Arsenal’s greatest failing was they’re a bit soft-centered, you can nearly bully them.
“Now you have a look at the best way they will play. If it must be a battle, it will likely be a battle. If it must be a footballing sport it may be a footballing sport.
“Individuals do not wish to be classed as favourites for something at this a part of the season. There may be a whole lot of stress that comes with that. For the Arsenal aspect, three years in a row they’ve completed second, why not have the assumption they will end first?”
Power in depth
Arsenal spent round £250m on strengthening their squad this summer season and are beginning to see the advantages of getting extra depth.
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They have already got a sizeable harm listing with forwards Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz having been out long run, whereas captain Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke are additionally at the moment sidelined.
However the gamers who’ve stepped in have greater than contributed to Arsenal’s excellent run of type, taking the stress off the Gunners to hurry gamers again.
“The depth that they’ve, if someone drops out it is the following particular person up,” added Onuoha.
“In the end for this reason they’re being classed as favourites as a result of they’re in a terrific place.”
Faltering rivals
Boss Arteta has beforehand cited timing as a cause for Arsenal having not received the Premier League since he took cost in 2019.
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In Could he identified Liverpool received the Premier League final season with fewer factors than the Gunners had managed within the earlier two campaigns.
However the timing appears proper for them this time period, with their robust run of type coming whereas their rivals have faltered.
Liverpool made an distinctive begin with 5 Premier League wins in a row, however have now misplaced their final 4 video games.
Manchester Metropolis, in the meantime, have been comparatively inconsistent with 5 wins, three losses and a draw to date.
Whereas Arsenal followers might begin to consider, not one of the groups who’ve been prime at this stage have gone on to win the title prior to now six seasons.
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“Arsenal are dependable, you’ll be able to belief them,” former Manchester United defender Gary Neville mentioned on Sky Sports activities. “That is your title, Arsenal. I’ve by no means actually felt that positive earlier than, it is so early within the season, nevertheless it actually is [yours].
“That is not being overconfident, or putting stress. Arsenal should really feel it themselves. That is the second Arsenal can get again to [winning the title]. The possibility is there for them; they must take it.”