Much like last season, Arsenal have managed to stay at the top of the summit as the end of 2023 approaches, but can they go all the way and dethrone Manchester City this time around?
After dropping points on only four occasions in their 15 fixtures thus far this season, the Gunners are looking like serious Premier League title contenders... just as they were last season. The focus now needs to be on what they have improved since losing out on winning their first EPL title since Arsene Wenger's iconic 'Invincibles' triumph in 2003, and on key aspects that could see them become champions of England once again.
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The first significant observation that's different about the Gunners this season is their arguably more rugged approach to playing. They are said to look less fluent with the ball at their feet this season and this could very well work in their favour.
The EPL has always been renowned for its physicality and even though some would consider today's version of the game a little more on the "soft" side, physicality is still an important aspect when it comes to obtaining results. With the inclusion of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, who stands at an intimidating 1.86m, this has added another element to the side's midfield.
Although people have pointed the finger at the Germany international for not contributing more goals and assists – he has netted three times and created one this season – he has given to the team in other ways. Since the start of the 2023/24 EPL campaign, he has won 3.26 aerial duels per 90, putting him in the 98th percentile compared to his positional peers across the top leagues in Europe, per FBref. This symbolises Arteta's different approach to their second consecutive title charge.
More height in the line-up would naturally increase a side's chances of scoring goals from set-pieces, as well as defending them. In fact, Arsenal's stoppage-time winner that saw them beat Luton Town 4-3 on Tuesday originated from a set-piece and ended with Declan Rice getting his head on the end of a cross put into the box by Martin Odegaard, handing the London side a crucial three points.
Another physically imposing figure who contributes immensely to the defensive make-up of Mikel Arteta's system is William Saliba, and his fitness will be another crucial aspect to a successful title charge. Last season, according to GOAL, Arsenal's win percentage with him in the team was 78%, while it dropped to 44% without him.
Some would say that another characteristic of a league-winning side is the ability to generate goals from players all over the pitch. It is essentially the lack of reliance on one or two players to score goals. For example, last season, Marcus Rashford was Manchester United's main source of goals, but he has not fired for the Red Devils and the consequences are evident. United have a goal difference of minus one, and have only netted 16 times in 14 EPL matches. The Gunners, meanwhile, have scored 33 and conceded just 12 times, with three of those strikes coming against Luton. The north Londoners have had 13 different goalscorers this season, according to SportsMole.
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Bukayo Saka is, however, proving to be a standout performer and one of the side's main sources of creativity with five goals and six assists. And while Eddie Nketiah has five league goals as well, some fans of the side will argue that another, perhaps better, striker should be brought in as a back-up option for Gabriel Jesus if the club is to boost its chances of winning the EPL. A January transfer window in which Arsenal are able to bring in a few players to enhance the depth of the squad would do wonders as they would probably not want injuries to crucial players to dent their title hopes once again.
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