Arsenal: Arsene Wenger hopelessly correct in Manchester City assessment

Arsene Wenger has stated that Manchester City are beatable, highlighting that they haven’t won the title yet. While that assessment is correct, it is hopelessly optimistic on Arsenal’s part.

After two wins from two games, as well as just one loss in their last six, Arsenal find themselves in a rather peculiar position: They are, other than one rather obvious example, the in-form team. They have now leapt above Spurs and Liverpool, and back into the comfort of fourth position, and with an upcoming match against Manchester United, could feasibly end the week as high as second.

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Their recent uptick in fortunes has spurred talk of a title challenge once again. Although it is seen as an unlikely eventuality for a team that has clear and painful holes at several different positions, the question is beginning to be asked: Can this squad challenge for a title?

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There is, unfortunately, one rather large problem. It comes in the form of Manchester City, a team that has started the campaign in historic fashion, winning 12 of 13 games, scoring 42 goals and conceding just eight. But when asked about whether he believed City had won the title or not, Arsene Wenger, in typically optimistic fashion, stated that it is too early to say with any definition, highlighting that the title is won in May, not November:

"“It is too early to say that. I feel that every team has its vulnerabilities, even Man City. They had a good start, but it is too early. We are in November, you win the championship in May. At the moment we are far apart. The only way we can keep alive is for us to win the games, and that is why the next game is so important for us.”"

And Wenger is right. City are not unbeatable — no team is, even the Invincibles — and the league title, at least to some extent, is not yet decided. But that does not mean that is likely, either.

Arsenal are 12 points behind City already. That is an almighty chasm at any stage of the season. Even with 25 games to run, it is not all that easy to fathom such a gap being clawed back, especially by a team that has been proven to be as vulnerable and soft as the Gunners.

Wenger does make a fair point that all he and his players can do is to focus on themselves, ensuring that they win their games, and hope for others to pick off points when they face City. And it is easier to chase down one team than three teams, simply because it only takes a few weeks for one to crumble, which is not so when multiple sides are stretching clear.

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But those reasons for hope seem more like whispers of false optimism, nothing more empty shreds of belief that lack any foundation in rhyme or reason. Arsenal’s title challenge, while technically not dead, is not exactly bursting with life. They may still have a shot at the title, but I’m not sure I’d put a bet on it.